Controller Hiring on Track but New York Tracon Far Understaffed | Aviation International News

Controller Hiring on Track but New York Tracon Far Understaffed

Despite meeting its hiring goals, the FAA continues to suffer air traffic controller shortages at the New York Tracon.

Air traffic control centers in the U.S. operate at 81 percent of their full-employment levels. Staffing at the New York Tracon remains at 54 percent. (Photo: American Airlines)

By Gregory Polek • Senior Editor

April 12, 2023

The FAA remains on track to meet its goal of hiring 1,500 air traffic controllers this year following its receipt of 58,000 applications in 2022, according to the agency. Nevertheless, shortages continue, particularly at the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (Tracon) facilities, prompting it to relax slot controls at New York LaGuardia (LGA) and Kennedy Airports (JFK) and Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C.

According to FAA data, nationwide Certified Professional Controller (CPC) staffing averages 81 percent of the agency's target while the New York Tracon sits at about 54 percent, largely due to training capacity deficits resulting from temporary safety mitigations put in place in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Although the FAA claims that dedicated training initiatives have reduced most of the training backlog, the New York Tracon remains woefully understaffed.

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