For example, Jacksonville Center’s overtime cost in fiscal year 2022 was 27% higher than pre-pandemic. Managers interviewed by the office of the inspector general at 16 out of 17 facilities said their centers were understaffed. The audit found that controllers at some facilities were working six days a week and mandatory overtime in order to compensate for the lack of workers. Takeaway 2: Controllers work overtime to make up for staffing shortages “Notably, FAA will not know the impact of increases for several years and cannot be certain it will successfully train enough controllers in the short term due to uncertain training outcomes,” the report said. The suspensions – and subsequent required refresher training – have added significantly to controller certification times. The FAA paused training for various periods at the FAA academy and at critical air traffic control facilities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the audit found. Here are three takeaways from the office of inspector general report: Takeaway 1: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a training backlog “Ensuring adequate staffing and training for air traffic controllers – an essential part of maintaining the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) – has been a challenge for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), especially at the nation’s most critical facilities,” the report said. The audit was conducted between November 2021 and April 2023. The Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General said in a report released last week that 20 out of 26 – or 77% – critical facilities are staffed below the Federal Aviation Administration’s 85% threshold.
air traffic control centers are facing staffing shortages that threaten the continuity of the country’s airspace system, a new federal government audit found.
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