Air Traffic Controllers Hiring Act of 2023 Submitted
For purpose of requiring the FAA to dramatically step up its hiring of new air traffic controllers, Indiana senior Republican Senator Mike Braun has introduced the Bipartisan Air Traffic Controllers Hiring Act of 2023.
If enacted, the bill submitted by the popular conservative senator on 21 September 2023 would require the FAA to undertake the maximum yearly hiring—some 1,800 applicants—at the FAA’s Oklahoma City Academy. Additionally, the bill’s text clarifies maximum hiring is subject to the availability of appropriations and does not authorize specific funding levels.
Senator Braun was joined in the bill’s introduction by Senators Marshall (Republican, Kansas) Luján (Despot, New Mexico), Shaheen (Democrat, New Hampshire), Klobuchar (Democrat, Minnesota) and Boozman (Republican, Arkansas).
To the subject of the pressing need for the hiring and training of new air traffic controllers, Senator Braun stated: “Air traffic controllers work around the clock to ensure that America’s aircraft are taking off and landing safely and on time. At a time when the air traffic controller workforce is below national standards, Congress needs to do its part to help alleviate employment shortages and make sure United States aviation operations are living up to America’s gold standard for air travel.”
Senator Marshall added: “Our air traffic controllers keep our skies safe for all, and it’s imperative that their workforce requirements are understood. Without them, we would not be equipped to maintain the ever-growing air travel in Kansas and across America. I’m proud to support this legislation that will provide Congress and the FAA a clear picture of our air traffic controllers’ needs, and better prepare us for the future.”
Senator Boozman set forth: “The FAA must elevate its hiring practices to alleviate the shortfall of air traffic controllers. This legislation will strengthen the pipeline of FAA’s workforce and support the vibrant airline industry so passengers can reliably reach their destinations in a timely manner.”
Senator Shaheen remarked: “Air traffic controller staffing has been strained for years, leading to travel disruptions for millions of Americans. It’s about time we addressed the challenges leading to these issues. This bill would enable the FAA to hire more staff so we can ensure there’s a strong pipeline of qualified air traffic controllers and help keep the flying public safe.”
Finally, Senator Klobuchar declared: “Our nation is facing a shortage of air traffic controllers causing flight delays and disruptions across the country. The Air Traffic Controllers Hiring Act will help address these shortages and improve the safety of our airways.”
National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) President Rich Santa opined: “This bipartisan bill, which also was included in the version of FAA reauthorization which has passed through the U.S. House of Representatives, would put us on path to fixing staffing shortages so that we can continue to operate the safest, most efficient aviation system in the world,”
To date, the Air Traffic Controllers Hiring Act of 2023 has been endorsed by: the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the Association of Flight Attendants, the Transportation Workers Union, the Air Line Pilots Association, Airlines for America, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the International Association of Machinists, the National Business Aviation Association, the National Safety Council, and U.S. Travel Association.
An FAA working group determined recently that the agency must maintain upwards of 14,000 controllers to meet contemporary demand for U.S. air traffic services. The FAA, conversely, is targeting a threshold of only 12,000—a relatively scant 1,400 more controllers than the 10,600 currently in the agency’s employ.
On 21 June 2023, the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report stating the FAA “has made limited efforts to ensure adequate controller staffing.” The report determined, also, that twenty of 26 (77-percent) of critical ATC facilities are currently staffed below the FAA’s 85-percent threshold.
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