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The shortage of air traffic controllers (ATC) across the United States has been unveiled in an independent report as a ‘safety crisis’ that has been going on for decades, and continues to put pressure on airports across the country. According to Generation Aviation News, more than 94,000 NTSB accident records were cross-referenced, revealing that the ATC shortage continues to accelerate.
Currently, in the United States, there are 25% fewer air traffic controllers than in 1981. These controllers are now managing more than three times the air traffic, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) believes that they are at a deficit of more than 3,544 certified controllers.
40% Of All Facilities Are Understaffed
This pressure is seeing more than 40% of all terminal facilities understaffed, with 19 of its 30 busiest facilities running below 85% of their required staffing targets. The 19 facilities outlined account for more than 40% of all flight delays that are reported in the National Airspace System.
Looking back at previous incidents, the report found that more than 5,100 accidents had narratives indicating that air traffic control was a factor or probable cause. Of those 5,108 accidents, a total of 159 were classified as fatal, including the collision of SkyWest Airlines flight 5569 and USAir flight 1493, which occurred in 1991 and killed 34 people.
These issues occurred when a controller was operating in an ‘overloaded position’ state. These incidents have continued to occur, where controllers are expected to simultaneously manage helicopter routes and fixed-wing traffic, such as the incident over the Potomac River, which killed 67 people as a flight was on approach to 
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
Recent Fatal Crash At LaGuardia Airport
More recently, the fatal crash at 
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) further exacerbated the pressure controllers are under. This recent incident on March 22 occurred when Air Canada flight 8646 was on approach from Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and crashed into a Port Authority fire truck that was given clearance to transit across the runway as the Air Canada flight was about to land. This led to the death of the two pilots onboard. While this incident remains under investigation, air traffic controller staffing is being considered a contributing factor.
A pipeline for new air traffic controllers is suggested to be ‘mathematically broken’ according to the President of AviationDB, Jim Kerr. He outlined that in 2022, over 57,900 people applied to study to become air traffic controllers, and just 4% of them reached the FAA Academy between 2017 and 2022. Of those who reached the academy, 30% didn’t make it, and only 61% became fully certified as air traffic controllers.
The total time for an application through to certification as an ATC can exceed five years, and approximately 2% of all applicants ultimately reached a position of a certified professional controller. The FAA has set a target every year since 2023, but net gains have been only 15-108 in the last few years.
Why Are Air Traffic Controller Trainees Getting A Raise?
Becoming an air traffic controller involves a rigorous and demanding process that requires extensive training and certification.
What Does It Take To Become An Air Traffic Controller?
To become an air traffic controller in the United States, there are several prerequisites that must be met in order to be eligible. These include being a US citizen, under 31, and passing a security investigation and medical examination. Additionally, you must be able to pass FAA air traffic pre-employment tests, which include the Air Traffic Controller Specialists Skills Assessment Battery (ATSA).
Applicants must be able to speak English clearly over communication equipment, and you must be able to have one year of progressively responsible work experience, or hold a bachelor’s degree, or a combination of post-secondary education and work experience that totals at least one full year.
Less than 10% of all applicants meet these requirements and are accepted into the FAA Academy. Air traffic controller candidates must be able to perform essential functions without posing an adverse risk to themselves or others. You must be physically and mentally fit and meet standards for vision, hearing, cardiovascular, neurological, and psychiatric health.
