Controller Furloughs Hit Regional Carriers Hardest

RAA chairman Dan Garton said that regional carriers took the worst hit when U.S. air traffic controllers were furloughed. [Photo: Gregory Polek].

By Gregory Polek • Senior Editor

May 8, 2013

Regional Airline Association chairman Dan Garton today expressed relief that a bipartisan effort in the U.S. Congress was able to reverse the furloughs of air traffic controllers triggered by federal budget cuts. But he complained that America’s regional carriers had faced a disproportionate burden from the effects of sequestration on the country’s air traffic management system. He told the general session at the annual RAA Convention in Montreal that at many airports served by member carriers, around half of daily flights had been affected by the controller shortages, and that major airlines had felt compelled to cut regional services first, perhaps because larger airliners seemed to be given priority during the delays. “If we ever experience another extended ATC disruption, we will certainly see [regional] service shrink,” warned Garton, who is also CEO of American Eagle.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

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