Lack of Fully Qualified Air Traffic Controllers Raising a Concern

A government watchdog is raising a red flag about the number of air traffic controllers.

FOX’s Lisa Brady has the story:

At 13 of the busiest air traffic facilities across the country, including control towers for New York’s JFK and Chicago’s O’Hare, the Transportation Department’s inspector general says there aren’t enough fully qualified controllers.

Instead, controllers still in training are counted by the FAA as part of being fully staffed. The report says some trainees are able to work alone, while others still need fully qualified controllers with them in case there’s a problem.

The growing number eligible for retirement is also a concern. The FAA says it’s working to improve staffing levels.

Some in Congress want to form a non-profit corporation of airline stakeholders to take control of air traffic operations.

Lisa Brady, FOX News.