Sign in Subscribe
Airports

Air Traffic Controllers Overworked and Understaffed, Calling for Resources Amid Tech Outages and Flight Delays

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the US air traffic control system struggles with staffing shortages and outdated technology, veteran air-traffic controller Jonathan Stewart is speaking out about the intense pressures workers face, citing a recent personal experience where he averted a potential mid-air collision. Stewart, who supervises the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility, described working multiple positions per shift to give other controllers breaks and having to write callsigns in a notebook due to fear of losing radar and radios. The same TRACON facility experienced blackouts on April 28 and May 9, leaving controllers unable to talk to planes or see their location. Stewart is among several traffic controllers on trauma leave, including some shaken by the blackouts.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Philadelphia TRACON facility is chronically understaffed, with only 63% of 38 certified professional controller positions filled, leaving 16 controllers to return to a New York FAA facility next year.
  • The facility experienced blackouts on April 28 and May 9, leading to controllers being unable to talk to planes or see their location.
  • Stewart, a veteran air-traffic controller, is speaking out about the intense pressures workers face, citing a recent personal experience where he averted a potential mid-air collision.
  • The FAA has acknowledged the tight staffing at TRACON, including just three controllers working all Newark arrivals and departures for over an hour on Monday night.
  • The current shortage of air traffic controllers is near a 30-year low, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.
  • Authorities have been working to address the challenges at Newark, including creating an "emergency task force" to ensure safe operations and initiating a "delay reduction meeting" with major airlines to limit flights ahead of the busy summer season.

Statistics:

  • 63% of required 38 certified professional controllers are currently filled at the Philadelphia TRACON facility.
  • 16 controllers are due to return to a New York FAA facility next year, leaving the facility even more understaffed.
  • 5 controllers took a 45-day trauma leave after the April 28 outage, which caused radar screens to go blank for 90 seconds and radios to go out for 30 seconds.
  • The current shortage of air traffic controllers is near a 30-year low, with 10,800 certified controllers across the country.
  • 90-second radar outage occurred on May 9.
  • 30 seconds radio outage occurred on May 9.

Sources:

  • Stewart, Jonathan, air-traffic controller ( CNN interview on Friday)
  • Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), press release, April 28, 2023 (no date mentioned in original text)
  • Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), press release, May 9, 2023 (no date mentioned in original text)
  • National Air Traffic Controllers Association, press release, April 2023 (no date mentioned in original text)
  • United Airlines, message from CEO Scott Kirby, this month (no specific date mentioned)
  • CBS News, video obtained on May 9, 2023 (no date mentioned in original text)

Read more