New York airports will see delays this summer.
The aviation industry is dealing with multiple fires at once. Earlier this year, the Federal Aviation Administration saw itself in a jam when the Notice to Air Missions system went down, grounding thousands of flights in the U.S. It was fixed in 90 minutes, but the chinks in the technological armor of the FAA became visible for the world.
Then several close calls and near-miss collisions raised concerns about aviation safety. The FAA has issued safety alerts to airlines and pilots about the need for vigilance and these incidents are being investigated. Meanwhile, the FAA hosted a rare safety summit in the wake of these near-collisions and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said that the uptick in these accidents is concerning.
He told CNN, “It would be one thing if we found a certain piece of technology in the cockpit or a certain control tower where there were a lot of issues. But instead what we’re finding is that pilots, ground crews and controllers alike seem to be experiencing this uptick. Some have described it as a kind of rust.”
Related: Multiple Terrifying Near-Miss Collisions Have Happened on Airport Runways This Year
Last year, the administration had refused a request by regional airline Republic Airways to hire co-pilots with fewer training hours, citing safety concerns. The shortage of pilots has pained airlines after they offered voluntary retirement to pilots during the pandemic. Now with people traveling with a vengeance, it’s hurting schedules (and profits).
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Airlines blamed disruptions on shortages of air traffic controllers, pointing fingers at the FAA because it manages the traffic in the skies. The agency hit back and Peter Buttigieg told CNBC that the ATC staffing issues don’t explain the majority of delays.
The Biden administration is also looking for additional funding for the FAA to hire more staff and manage the congested airspace better.
Troubles Expected This Summer
Now the FAA has issued a notice to airlines, warning that the shortage is likely to cause delays this summer. The New York Terminal Radar Approach Control facility controls the skies over New York and the North East corridor. While the Certified Professional Controller (CPC) staffing is 81%, this New York facility is at 54% staffing target and the FAA projects that the delays this summer will increase by 45%.
Thus, the agency is allowing airlines to turn in up to 10% of their slots at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and LaGuardia Airport in New York, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C from May 15-September 15, 2023. This is being done to reduce volume and manage traffic to avoid delays and congestion.
The FAA defines slots as an authorization to either take-off or land at a particular airport on a particular day during a specified time period. Airlines must use their slots 80% of the time, or they lose them.
“This relief is being provided to give carriers the ability to reduce operations during the peak summer travel period, which are likely to be exacerbated by the effects of Air Traffic Controller (ATC) staffing shortfalls,” the notice explained.
Last May through September, there were more than 40,000 delays reported at JFK, LGA, and EWR and staffing was a contributing factor, the statement said.
In response to the FAA’s notice, JetBlue is cutting its summer schedule—the airline operates from New York and will be impacted by the shortstaffed FAA. Its CEO Robin Hayes told CNBC that if they don’t cut flights, the system won’t work this summer. “This is going to have a very significant financial impact on JetBlue and our customers.”
Meanwhile, Delta and United have requested waivers. American Airlines will also cut New York flights.
For travelers, it means that delays and cancellations from New York will possibly hamper summer travels. The airspace will be congested and a lack of staff will make the situation grim. Flight options may disappear as airlines trim their schedules.