Buttigieg Decries Inadequate Air Traffic Control Staffing in New York

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg voiced serious concerns regarding the insufficient staffing levels of air traffic controllers in the New York area, describing the situation as “unacceptable.” He pledged to work on finding a long-term solution to address the issue during a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing. The hearing provided an opportunity for Buttigieg to discuss the challenges and prospects facing the U.S. transportation system.

Buttigieg revealed that both the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are collaborating closely with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) to tackle the ongoing shortage of fully certified controllers at the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility (N90). This facility manages the arrivals and departures of flights at the major New York airports, as well as nearby airports.

The shortage of controllers at N90 has led to a reduction in capacity and an increase in flight delays at New York airports, affecting millions of travelers and airlines. The DOT and the FAA have implemented various measures to alleviate the situation, including hiring additional controllers, offering incentives and bonuses, and providing support and flexibility to the existing workforce.

However, Buttigieg cautioned that a potential government shutdown by the end of the month could exacerbate the problem. Such a shutdown would halt the training and recruitment of new controllers, potentially derailing the progress made so far. Currently, there are 2,600 controllers in training, and a shutdown would prevent them from completing their demanding training program.

Buttigieg emphasized, “We cannot afford that kind of politically driven disruption at the very moment when we finally have those air traffic control workforce numbers headed in the right direction.”

The FAA recently announced an extension of the waiver of the minimum usage requirement for slots at New York airports until October 2024 due to the shortage of controllers at N90. This waiver allows airlines to operate fewer flights from JFK, LGA, and EWR without forfeiting their slots, thereby reducing congestion. The FAA also encourages airlines to use larger aircraft to accommodate more passengers and alleviate pressure on N90.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com, FAA