A recent report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that a near-collision incident between two planes at Bob Hope Burbank Airport in California on February 23, 2023, was caused by an air traffic controller who was distracted by a third plane. The Mesa Airlines flight and a SkyWest Airlines plane came alarmingly close to each other, prompting the controller to issue warnings to both aircraft, yet there were no injuries or damage.
The Department of Transportation announced plans to tackle ongoing staffing shortages in air traffic control, which have been a long-standing issue. Transport Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted a new initiative to streamline the hiring process for controllers and noted that salaries have increased significantly. Despite some optimism from industry groups regarding these measures, unions like the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) stressed the need for more comprehensive, long-term solutions and criticized proposals to raise the retirement age for controllers. In addition, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has voiced support for recruiting retired controllers to address the shortage.
Experts maintain that addressing the air traffic controller crisis will require sustained effort beyond just immediate hiring and policy changes.
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