“We must support air traffic controller workforce hiring and training, modernize and deploy state-of-the-art air traffic control facilities and equipment,” said the letter seen by Reuters from groups representing American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Boeing, Airbus and others, adding they do not support “pursuing privatization of US air traffic control services and believe it would be a distraction from these needed investments and reforms”.
Airlines for America, the Aerospace Industries Association, International Air Transport Association and others, including major aviation unions, urged Congress in a joint letter to take action, noting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) faces serious technology needs and is about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing levels.
A 2023 report noted air traffic control facilities with leaking roofs, broken heating and air conditioning systems, and old surveillance radar systems that must soon be replaced at a cost of billions of dollars.
Earlier this month, the transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, said he was reconsidering rules that allowed air traffic control supervisors to reduce staffing at Washington’s Reagan National airport before a fatal army helicopter-plane collision that killed 67 people in January.
The US aviation sector on Wednesday called for “robust emergency funding” from Congress for air traffic control technology and staffing after a series of crashes that have raised alarm.
