Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today U.S. Representatives John Garamendi (CA-08), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Nick Begich (AK-AL) demanded that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prioritize the health and well-being of air traffic controllers as they work to reach full staffing at all U.S. airports.
“Nationwide, controllers ensure the safe and efficient movement of roughly 45,000 daily flights serving nearly 3 million passengers and cargo operations 24 hours per day, every day of the year,” wrote the members. “For too long, controllers have struggled to use the paid time off that they earned and have experienced scheduling practices that rely too much on overtime to overcome staffing shortages. These talented professionals have dedicated their lives to aviation safety, and the FAA must prioritize their health and safety as they work to reach full staffing.”
In the last decade, the number of certified air traffic controllers has decreased by 6 percent, even as there has been a 10 percent increase in the number of flights relying on their guidance.
The 2024 FAA Reauthorization law included many provisions aimed at growing the air traffic controller workforce and reducing their strain and fatigue. In the meantime, as the FAA implements these provisions, many air traffic control facilities remain critically understaffed.
“In order to maintain the safest, most efficient aviation system in the world, it is vital that the FAA prioritize the health and well-being of air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals,” the Members continued.
The full text of the letter can be read here.
The letter was also signed by Representatives Becca Balint (VT-AL), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gilbert Cisneros (CA-31), Herbert Conaway (NJ-03), Angie Craig (MN-02), Madeline Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Nick LaLota (NY-01), Greg Landsman (OH-01), John Larson (CT-01), Summer Lee (PA-12), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Grace Meng (NY-06), Dave Min (CA-47), Seth Moulton (MA-06), James Moylan (GU-AL), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Darren Soto (FL-09), Thomas Suozzi (NY-03), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).