Air traffic controllers' union warns of shortage in Alaska

Airline Industry Information, August 11, 2004

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The National Air Traffic Controllers' Association (NATCA) has warned the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that it is facing a shortage of controllers in Alaska.

Rick Thompson, NATCA representative for the region, said that the FAA has not acted to prepare for a rash of retirements by air traffic controllers with 7,000 out of 15,136 eligible for retirement in the next nine years.

Thompson said that if replacements are not found then safety issues could arise and flying hours could be curtailed, causing massive delays to passengers and cargo. NATCA would like the US Senate Appropriations Committee to authorize USD14m of funding for the FAA to bring in new controllers.

A spokesperson for the FAA said that it agrees with the union that something needs to be done to recruit more air traffic controllers, reported The Associated Press.

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