Agency cites shortage of air traffic controller staffing levels.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced last week that they are temporarily cutting minimum flight requirements for airlines at highly congested airports in New York City and Washington D.C. The FAA said the decision will give airlines “the ability to reduce operations during the peak summer travel period, which are likely to be exacerbated by the effects of Air Traffic Controller staffing shortfalls.”
The FAA made this exception in tandem with a temporary increase in flight slots at these busy airports by 10%, allowing the travel hubs to accommodate their even busier spring and summer months. This increase in flight slots causes understaffed airlines to run the risk of not filling them. Current FAA regulation says that airlines can lose their slots at congested airports if they do not use them at least 80% of the time.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Acting Administrator Billy Nolen to seek God’s direction as he heads the FAA.
- For air traffic controllers to be alert and observant as they direct takeoffs, landings, and flight paths.
Sources: Reuters, FlightGlobal
