FAA announces flight reductions will remain at 6% due to increased air traffic controller staffing.
The planned increase in flight reductions at 40 major U.S. airports will remain at 6%, rather than rising to 10% by the end of the week. This decision comes as more air traffic controllers return to duty, according to officials who announced the update on Wednesday. This development coincides with Congressional efforts to resolve the […]
Air traffic controller absences rise as shutdown continues into its second month
Late Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urged lawmakers to reopen the agency. The reason? A shortfall in funding and staffing has led to increased flight delays and cancellations at major airports nationwide. Federal workers, including employees from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and around 13,000 air traffic controllers, have been working without pay since […]
Big airports experience flight delays due to rising air traffic controller shortage
This weekend, major airports across the country faced significant flight delays due to ongoing staffing issues with air traffic controllers. On Sunday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented a temporary ground standstill order due to personnel shortages at air traffic facilities in Southern California. The stop began around 11:42 a.m. EDT for flights to Los […]
Major airports halt operations because of air traffic controller shortages linked to government shutdown
Airports Face Ground Stops Due to Staffing Issues On Thursday, three major airports in the U.S. implemented ground stops and experienced delays, all linked to staffing shortages stemming from the ongoing federal government shutdown. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) was the first to announce a ground delay program, indicating that flights were delayed by […]
Air traffic controller informs lawmakers he’s driving for deliveries to cover his daughter’s college fees during the shutdown
During a recent NewsNation City Hall event, air traffic controllers expressed their struggles to lawmakers as the government shutdown stretches into its third week. One controller, identifying himself as Jack Chris from Dallas, Texas, shared that he has been with the Federal Aviation Administration for 16 years. Chris recounted his experiences during previous shutdowns, saying, […]
Duffy: Shutdown creating ‘ripple effect’ in air traffic controller shortage
On Tuesday, Transport Secretary Sean Duffy discussed the “ripple effect” that government shutdowns are having on the shortage of air traffic controllers. Duffy noted that, although the number of air traffic controllers has increased by 20%, the ongoing shutdown risks losing essential training support. “But one of the issues is the shutdown affecting the academy […]
Trump administration blames Buttigieg for inflating air traffic controller statistics
The Department of Transportation under the Trump administration has upped the requirements for aspiring air traffic controllers, claiming this change will help reduce the number of candidates who don’t finish the program. In contrast, officials argue that the Biden administration’s earlier decision to lower these standards during its initial term only led to more turnover […]
French controller removed from duty for shouting ‘Free Palestine’ to Israeli pilots
French air traffic controllers have reportedly faced suspension after they expressed “free Palestine” while communicating with a pilot from El Al, an Israeli airline. This incident took place shortly after the flight took off from Paris’s Charles de Gaulle Airport. An El Al spokesperson described the remarks as “unprofessional and inappropriate,” categorizing the situation as […]
Biden administration eliminated ‘best-qualified’ criteria for air traffic controller academy, documents reveal
The Biden administration has made a quiet change regarding the qualifications for air traffic controller candidates. In 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has removed the stringent “best-qualified” criteria that previously required candidates to score at least 85% on the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) exam. Instead, they introduced a new threshold of 80%. Transport […]
DOT leader Sean Duffy accuses former chief Pete Buttigieg of compromising air traffic controller standards in shocking statement during ‘Pod Force One’ appearance.
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy has criticized his predecessor, Pete Buttigieg, for allegedly lowering the standards for air traffic control candidates, which has resulted in rising dropout rates at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. Officially, candidates scoring over 85% on the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) exams are deemed eligible, with those achieving 90% or […]