Pete Buttigieg dismisses air travel delays for air traffic controllers.

Pete Buttigieg Addresses Flight Delays and Improving Air Travel

Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary, recently appeared on CNBC to shed light on the behind-the-scenes challenges of mass flight delays. He tackled questions about enhancing the efficiency of the approximately 50,000 daily takeoffs and landings across the country.

Buttigieg emphasized the importance of holding airlines accountable for their performance, investments, and scheduling. However, he also stressed the need for the public sector to step up and play its part. “As a country, we must ensure that we are investing in our airports, runways, taxiways, and most importantly, our people,” he stated. He specifically highlighted the significance of air traffic controllers.”>providing air traffic controllers and other FAA personnel with the necessary technology and training.

Investing in Training at New York Terminal Radar Approach Control

Buttigieg pointed out the need for training at the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), which manages the airspace around three major airports in the New York City area. In a notice published in March, the agency revealed that TRACON was operating at only 54% capacity.

Nationwide, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that air traffic controllers are currently staffed at approximately 81%, with a total of 21,250 workers. This number falls short of the pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

The CEO of United Airlines echoed Buttigieg’s concerns in an internal memo from July 1, attributing a series of flight cancellations in June to short-staffing at the FAA.

Since April, the FAA has made a commitment to hiring more air traffic controllers to address these staffing challenges.

Click here to read more from The Washington Examiner.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases