Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy blames Biden administration for Newark airport infrastructure system failures whereas detailing plans to repair it. (Credit score: Division of Transportation)
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy stated a key to assuaging the scarcity of air site visitors employees is providing retirees a bonus to incentivize them to remain within the workforce longer.
“I think what is key, we have offered a bonus to air traffic controllers who are eligible to retire. We are going to pay them 20% bonus on their salary to stay longer. Don’t retire,” Duffy continued. “So as we bring more air traffic controllers in, and keep the older, experienced controllers, we’re going to be able to make up that difference.”
FAA, DOT LAY OUT PLAN TO IMPROVE OPERATIONS AT NEWARK AIRPORT
Nevertheless, Duffy famous that it’ll take months, if not years, to resolve the scarcity.
The air site visitors management system has been underneath immense strain for years given the persisting staffing shortages, outdated know-how and underinvestment in crucial infrastructure.
In February, Duffy pledged to deal with these points with a brand new bundle of actions to “supercharge the air traffic controller workforce.”
His announcement got here within the wake of the midair collision between American Eagle Flight 5342 and an Military helicopter on Jan. 29 that left all of the aircraft’s 64 passengers and crew, and the helicopter’s three personnel useless.
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The system’s vulnerabilities have drawn renewed scrutiny in latest weeks after Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport, one of many busiest within the nation, skilled back-to-back air site visitors management outages.
Earlier this month, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated it was putting in extra Tower Simulation Techniques throughout the nation so it may certify air site visitors controllers sooner whereas lowering prices. These methods enable controllers to coach for complicated airport configurations, develop situations that tackle security traits, apply runway crossing coordination and rehearse phrasing, in line with the FAA.
The FAA Air Visitors Management tower at Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport in Newark, New Jersey, on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (Angus Mordant/Bloomberg / Getty Photos)
That is along with different steps Duffy stated he’s taking to speed up hiring within the area. For one, he’s attempting to increase alternatives for veteran army controllers, increasing the listing of certified amenities and providing monetary incentives to graduates and new hires who’ve reached key coaching milestones.
The FAA additionally plans to reward academy graduates who’re assigned to hard-to-staff amenities and scale back wait occasions for high candidates, who in some circumstances are ready a minimum of a yr, for routine medical and safety clearances.
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It’s also increasing the variety of instructors and establishing a Studying Heart on the Air Visitors Controller Academy in Oklahoma Metropolis. Duffy additionally streamlined hiring by altering the outdated eight-step hiring course of on the FAA to a five-step course of.
Duffy and performing Administrator Chris Rocheleau additionally issued plans to implement instantly to enhance operations at Newark following the back-to-back outages.
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