Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has highlighted the urgent need to address the concerns of overworked air traffic controllers by hiring 2,000 additional personnel. This announcement comes in response to a report that brought to light the alarming levels of exhaustion and burnout among controllers, raising concerns about potential safety hazards.
Buttigieg emphasized that the administration is actively seeking funding from Capitol Hill lawmakers to hire the additional controllers. “We need more, and we’re hiring more,” he stated on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
The need for additional air traffic controllers has been a growing concern, as the number of controllers has steadily declined over the past three decades. Buttigieg acknowledged this trend, noting that the administration has already taken steps to reverse it by hiring 1,500 controllers in 2022 and 1,800 in 2023.
Furthermore, Buttigieg outlined plans to upgrade the technology used by controllers to enhance efficiency and safety. The administration is also seeking a “mandatory account” from Congress to facilitate more effective FAA planning.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has taken steps to address the issue of controller fatigue by implementing new rules that will take effect this summer. These regulations require controllers to take 12 hours off before midnight shifts and 10 hours off between regular shifts.
Buttigieg praised the “extraordinary” work done by air traffic controllers but emphasized the need for adequate support. This support includes providing sufficient breaks, increasing the number of controllers, and investing in better technology.
