A persistent shortage of air traffic controllers (ATC) in the U.S. is hindering the growth of commercial aviation, with ripple effects reaching the air cargo sector.
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United Airlines has been particularly vocal about the issue, pointing to disruptions at Newark International Airport, its main transatlantic hub. The airline reported delays, cancellations, prolonged flight times, and extended taxi periods on nearly half the days in November.
The root of the problem lies in ATC staffing, which was 59% below target levels at Newark last month. This shortage is not unique to Newark; it reflects a nationwide crisis. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has temporarily reduced flight requirements at New York City-area airports through October 2024.
The problem is not new. A 2022 report revealed that 77% of critical ATC facilities in the U.S. were understaffed. Canada faces similar challenges, with Nav Canada attributing flight delays and cancellations to personnel shortages.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the issue, prompting massive staff cuts and the suspension of training programs for new controllers. As of early 2024, the FAA employed 10,700 certified controllers, a 10% drop from 2012. Despite hiring over 1,800 new controllers this year, the FAA still lags by about 3,000 personnel.
Efforts to address the issue include expanding training programs to simulator-based flying schools and adopting more efficient air traffic management practices. However, the FAA’s progress is hampered by chronic underfunding, aging communication systems, and deteriorating facilities.
The consequences are significant. Flight schedules are constrained, leading to delays and cancellations, while overcrowded airspace strains ATC personnel. Overworked controllers often face six-day workweeks with overtime, contributing to an uptick in safety incidents, including runway incursions and near-misses. Since May, the FAA has recorded 1,115 runway incursions and over 180 operational errors attributed to ATC decisions.
The cargo sector has not reported major disruptions from the ATC crisis, but the impact on passenger flight schedules inevitably affects airfreight operations. Delays particularly challenge sensitive cargo, although industry experts suggest the effects on perishables are limited to standard goods without specialized handling.
Retired industry veteran Ram Menen noted that cargo planes often receive lower priority than passenger flights, exacerbating cost pressures for airlines due to increased fuel consumption and asset inefficiency.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has a bleak outlook, predicting the ATC shortage will persist for years. This projection underscores the long-term challenges facing both the aviation and air cargo sectors as they navigate growing demand amid operational constraints.
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