GAO: Urgent Need for More Aviation Meteorologists | Aviation International News

Regulations and Government

GAO: Urgent Need for More Aviation Meteorologists

Watchdog recommends urgent action at FAA and NWS

By Gordon Gilbert • Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

September 4, 2025

A newly released report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) warns that the number of aviation meteorologists has fallen considerably, with the remaining staff severely under strain to provide needed services. It recommends that the FAA identify related risks and take “urgent action to address them.”

Under a 2016 agreement between the FAA and the National Weather Service (NWS)—set to expire next month—the NWS was required to staff 90 positions with full-time meteorologists at the FAA’s 21 ATC Center facilities. The FAA then reimburses the NWS for the associated costs, subject to the availability of annual appropriations.

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.

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. 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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