Why the U.S. Doesn’t Have Enough Trained Air Traffic Controllers

One of the more important legislative issues of 2016 for travelers will be Congress' reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) funding and the potential outsourcing of air traffic control functions to private operators. An audit of the FAA released earlier this month by the U.S. Inspector General found that 13 of 23 critical FAA facilities have inadequate staffing, while other less essential facilities are overstaffed. The audit provides more ammunition for critics that say the FAA should privatize its air traffic operation. Republican lawmakers and airlines have been pushing for privatization, while the unionized air traffic control workers support the status quo. A new bill authorizing funding for the FAA will likely be debated in March to