Staffing and technology issues threaten aviation safety, the report said
A group of outside experts appointed by the Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday called for “urgent action” to address safety risks in the nation’s aviation system, highlighting issues such as air traffic controller staffing shortages and outdated technology.
The FAA announced the formation of the groupthe National Airspace System Safety Review Team, in April, after a series of close calls at airports across the country, and the panel released a 52 page report presented its findings on Wednesday.
In addition to calling on the FAA to address the air traffic controller shortage and improve aging technology, the report also recommended changes in how the agency is funded, such as broader protections against government shutdowns.
“The current erosion of the safety margin in the NAS caused by the confluence of these challenges makes the current level of safety unsustainable,” the report said, referring to what is known as the National Airspace System.
The group of experts was led by Michael P. Huerta, who served as FAA administrator under Presidents Barack Obama and Donald J. Trump. It also included other former federal officials and former labor leaders.
“There are no easy short-term solutions to address many of these challenges,” Mr. Huerta told reporters on Wednesday. “To address the risks in the NAS, the FAA, the Administration, Congress and others across the industry must work together.”
The report comes after New York Times investigations published in August and October revealed how the country’s vaunted aviation safety system is under increasing pressure. The Times found that on average there were close calls involving commercial airlines several times a week.
A dire shortage of air traffic controllers – The Times found that 99 percent of the country’s air traffic control facilities were understaffed – has been a major factor.
The report released Wednesday also warned of the risks of aging technology. In January, a glitch in the FAA system grounded flights across the country, leading to a wave of delays and cancellations for travelers.
“The age and condition of FAA facilities and equipment increases systemic risk to unsustainable levels, even before accounting for losses in efficiency due to outdated technology,” the report said.
The agency has said it has taken steps to reduce the risk of close calls at airports, for example by providing funding to reconfigure taxiways and improve runway lighting.
“The FAA welcomes the independent Safety Review Team’s report and we will thoroughly review the recommendations,” the agency’s new administrator, Michael G. Whitaker, who was confirmed by the Senate last month, said in a statement. “We appreciate the team’s time and expertise in helping us pursue our goal of zero serious close calls.”
The near misses have also caught the attention of Congress. A Senate subcommittee a hearing was held spoke on the subject last week, and among the witnesses was Jennifer L. Homendy, the chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating a number of close-call incidents.
“While these events are incredibly rare, our security system is showing clear signs of strain that we cannot ignore,” Ms Homendy said.