The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is urging Congress to avert another government shutdown, warning that such a move could set back both air traffic controller hiring and National Airspace System (NAS) modernization. NATCA pointed to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) efforts to “supercharge” controller hiring and move forward on modernization, and stressed that a shutdown could significantly delay both initiatives.
“We currently have approximately 10,800 certified professional controllers moving traffic throughout the NAS—which is 3,800 short of where we need to be. NATCA is deeply concerned that a government shutdown of any length could cause significant setbacks and harm our combined efforts alongside Secretary [Sean] Duffy and [FAA] Administrator [Bryan] Bedford to bolster the controller hiring and training pipeline,” said NATCA president Nick Daniels. “In a time when aviation safety is under heightened public concern, a government shutdown would significantly add to the distractions our members must manage on the job every day.”
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