US Air Traffic Control Staff Shortages Impact Private Jets & Major Airports

Airlines and their passengers continue to face disruption in the United States of America, with the ongoing government shutdown having had a knock-on effect in the form of air traffic control staff shortages. This has led to operating restrictions at major US airports, with private jets now also impacted by these rules.

Elsewhere, as is common in times of extreme disruption, certain carriers are reported to have offered crew extra pay in order to pick up more flights and get as many passengers as possible where they need to be. However, with controllers still having to work without pay, a union president has spoken out about how the stress of the ongoing situation is increasing fatigue among ATC staff, which risks compromising the safety of the skies.

Restrictions Now Apply To Private Aircraft As Well

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With more and more air traffic controllers calling in sick and having to take second jobs in order to make ends meet amid the ongoing government shutdown and lack of pay, restrictions have been imposed in an attempt to bring order to the congested skies of the United States of America. This has resulted in widespread commercial flight cancellations, with rumors that carriers could have to cut up to 20% of flights if the shutdown continues.

Yesterday, the private sector was also hit with new restrictions, as CNBC reported that business jets had effectively been banned from 12 major US hubs in order to ease congestion. These are detailed in the table above, and span the width of the country. Commenting on these restrictions, which may not be quite as hard-hitting as private jets often avoid major hubs, National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen said:

“The NBAA is fully committed to ensuring the safety of the NAS. Among the ways we will do that is to ensure business aviation operators have an understanding of these restrictions and their implications.”

ATC Union President Speaks Out

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The desperate situation is understandably taking a heavy toll on air traffic controllers in the United States of America. In a press conference earlier today, Nick Daniels, who serves as the President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association trade union, said that, last week alone, more than 1,600 members submitted handwritten letters concerning their current hardships. As such, they are urging the government to end the shutdown.

Per Daniels, US ATC staff have ensured the safe arrival of some 7.3 million passengers, even though their system is currently operating with 3,800 fewer controllers than it requires in order to function in an optimal manner. While the shutdown has highlighted frailties in the US ATC system, the truth is that this issue hasn’t sprung up overnight. Instead, as Daniels notes, NATCA has been seeking additional controllers for over a decade.

In a speech today, Daniels thanked ATC staff for their “tireless commitment to [the] safety of our national airspace system and the flying public.” However, he was also keen to point out the potential safety risks brought on by the shutdown. Indeed, he explained that the added stress of the situation “leads to fatigue, the fatigue has led to the erosion of safety, and the increased risk every day that this shutdown drags on.”

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With delays and cancellations continuing to rack up, US airlines are finding that their flights are falling increasingly behind schedule. Indeed, Flightradar24 took to social media to share some of yesterday’s ‘worst offenders,’ including an Allegiant Air flight that left Newark for Asheville over 13 hours late.

Still, despite these delays, it is imperative for such carriers to get as many of their passengers to where they need to be, and, to the best extent possible, as quickly as they can. With this in mind, CNBC notes that Delta and United have offered crew extra pay to pick up flights, as is common amid such disruption.