U.S. Prepares Overhaul of Air Traffic Control After 2020/2021 Losses Amid Staffing Shortages and Lawmakers’ Calls for Hiring

The United States is facing ongoing challenges in its air traffic control system, with staffing shortages and overworked controllers continuing to impact flight safety and timeliness. The sector has not recovered from significant losses experienced in 2020 and 2021, prompting calls for aggressive hiring at competitive wages and an official apology to travelers for recent disruptions. Lawmakers including Representative Sharice Davids and Representative Matt McBride have visited air traffic control centers in Olathe and Philadelphia, respectively, to assess conditions firsthand and engage with controllers. Senator Andy Kim's team has sought responses from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding measures to address these issues. In response to these persistent problems, the U.S. government is preparing an overhaul of the national air traffic control system to improve safety and operational efficiency.