An American Airlines Airbus A319 plane removes past the air traffic control service tower at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, January 11, 2023
Saul Loeb|AFP|Getty Images
The head of the Federal Aviation Administration on Friday stated the company will increase the needed quantity of rest time for air traffic controllers in reaction to issues over tiredness amidst a staffing lack.
The modifications, which would work within 90 days, would need controllers to have at least 10 hours of rest in between shifts, up from 9 hours, and 12 hours of rest before an over night shift.
“In my first few months at the helm of the FAA, I toured air traffic control facilities around the country — and heard concerns about schedules that do not always allow controllers to get enough rest,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker stated in a declaration. “With the safety of our controllers and national airspace always top of mind for FAA, I took this very seriously — and we’re taking action.”
The modifications come as pressure on the FAA grows to enhance flight security amidst a wave of close calls at airports, in addition to mechanical issues at some airline companies and production issues at Boeing
A shortage of air traffic controllers, worsened by a time out in employing throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, has actually resulted in required overtime and jam-packed schedules for personnel at some centers. The company employed 1,500 controllers in 2015 and prepares to work with 1,800 this year. Air traffic controllers in the U.S. are needed to retire at age 56.
The statement came together with an FAA-ordered report on air traffic controller tiredness, which suggested the brand-new rest requirements.
