In a country like the United States, where air traffic is among the busiest in the world, less than 10% of airport control towers are able to ensure a sufficient number of air traffic controllers to meet the minimum safety standards set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the industry’s union. This concerning statistic comes from a thorough analysis conducted by CBS News using data provided by the FAA, highlighting a structural crisis that could compromise transportation safety and increase the risk of accidents.
The issue tragically resurfaced after the recent collision between an American Airlines plane and a Black Hawk military helicopter near Washington DC’s Reagan National Airport. The incident resulted in the deaths of 67 people and reignited the debate over the lack of human resources in the aircraft control system. At the time of the crash, only one operator was present to manage both airplane and helicopter traffic, a task that normally requires two professionals to ensure the proper coordination of maneuvers.
The numbers speak for themselves: only about 2% of control towers have met the staffing goals set by the Collaborative Resource Working Group for 2024, and only 8% of airports have reached the overall target, with numbers well below the minimum requirements for safe operation.
Moreover, according to FAA data, the problem is not limited to control towers but also extends to centers managing high-altitude en-route traffic. None of these facilities have reached the required number of trained staff to ensure the efficiency of air operations. An analysis of human resources at the end of fiscal year 2023 confirmed that the national air traffic system is still far from reaching the staffing targets needed, with approximately 3,000-4,000 controllers short of estimates.
One of the main factors contributing to this shortage was the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a devastating impact on the global aviation system. The training of new operators was significantly slowed and reduced during the crisis, and hiring was frozen. As a result, the FAA now faces a significant delay in completing training and hiring new qualified personnel.
Additionally, the recovery goals set have not been sufficient to close the gap between the number of controllers needed and those actually available. Even though the FAA has tried to strengthen its resources, the staff shortage has led to inadequate management of air traffic flows, with serious implications.
Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, emphasized that even if the FAA decided to hire 2,000 new staff members today, it would take at least two to three years to properly certify a qualified workforce. This means that even with an intense recruitment campaign, in the country air traffic control system would remain vulnerable in the long term, resulting in increased risks, service disruptions, or accidents.
