Feb 11, 2025 - News
Air traffic controller shortage
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A huge share of the country's air traffic control facilities are understaffed, per a recent FAA report.
Why it matters: January's mid-air collision between a passenger jet and a U.S. Army helicopter in Washington, D.C., is bringing fresh attention to the staffing shortages, which are a longstanding problem.
- Investigators have not yet determined whether shortages played a role in the incident.
Zoom in: As of September 2023, all Valley control towers included in the report were short of their 2024 goals set jointly by the FAA and the air traffic controllers' union.
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport missed its goal by seven controllers.
- Falcon Field in Mesa was short eight controllers, Scottsdale Airport had seven fewer and Phoenix Deer Valley Airport was short five.
1 bright spot: The Phoenix TRACON, which manages aircraft leaving or entering the Phoenix area, actually beat its target of 58 controllers with 59.
- It was one of only 23 FAA facilities reviewed in the report that met or exceeded its staffing goal.