The Federal Aviation Administration is increasing the required rest time for air traffic controllers in response to concerns over fatigue due to a staffing shortage. Controllers will now be required to have at least 10 hours of rest between shifts and 12 hours of rest before an overnight shift. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker expressed the importance of controller safety and national airspace in making these changes.
The FAA is facing pressure to improve air travel safety following close calls at airports, mechanical problems at airlines, and production issues at Boeing. The shortage of air traffic controllers, exacerbated by a hiring pause during the Covid-19 pandemic, has led to forced overtime and packed schedules. The agency plans to hire more controllers to address this issue.
An FAA-ordered report on air traffic controller fatigue recommended the new rest requirements. This announcement coincides with efforts to enhance safety in air travel.
The head of the Federal Aviation Administration announced that the agency will increase the required rest time for air traffic controllers in response to concerns over fatigue due to a staffing shortage. The changes, set to take effect within 90 days, will require controllers to have at least 10 hours of rest between shifts, up from nine hours, and 12 hours of rest before an overnight shift. This decision was made after hearing concerns about schedules that do not allow controllers to get enough rest. The FAA’s move comes as pressure mounts to improve air travel safety amid close calls at airports and other issues within the industry. The agency has faced a shortfall of air traffic controllers, exacerbated by a halt in hiring during the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to forced overtime and packed schedules for staff at some facilities. The FAA hired 1,500 controllers last year and plans to hire 1,800 more this year. Air traffic controllers in the U.S. are required to retire by age 56. The new rest requirements were recommended by an FAA-ordered report on air traffic controller fatigue. This decision is seen as a step toward ensuring the safety of air travel in the United States.
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