The recent crash and collision of a passenger plane and a helicopter in Washington, D.C. has brought the issue of air traffic controller shortages into sharp focus. Washington, D.C. is notorious for its complex air traffic environment, with frequent flights at civilian airports, military bases, and helicopters carrying high-ranking government officials. However, the lack of air traffic control personnel in the area has raised concerns about safety. This shortage is not isolated to the Washington, D.C. region but is widespread across the United States.
According to a report by The New York Times (NYT), data from the controllers’ union revealed that as of early January, 91% (285) of the 313 air traffic control facilities in the U.S., including control towers, were below the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) recommended staffing levels. Among these, 73 facilities were found to have a quarter of their staff positions unfilled. This widespread staffing issue has highlighted the strain placed on the nation’s air traffic control system.
Two control facilities on Long Island—responsible for managing air traffic at major international airports like New York’s JFK, LaGuardia, and New Jersey’s Newark—were reported to be operating with 40% of their staff vacant. Additionally, an internal preliminary report from the FAA revealed that, at the time of the recent accident, Reagan National Airport’s control operations were concentrated in the hands of just one person, further underscoring the challenges of managing air traffic with insufficient staff.