Shortage seen of air traffic controllers

A chronic shortage of controllers has reached a crisis point that will lead to widespread flight delays if left unchecked, officials for the union that represents air traffic controllers said Tuesday.

The Federal Aviation Administration has failed to meet its hiring goals for controllers for five consecutive years, leaving the number of air traffic controllers at its lowest level in 27 years at a time when air traffic is increasing, National Air Traffic Controllers Assn. officials said at a news conference.

The number of “certified professional controllers” — those who are no longer in training and can direct air traffic without assistance from a more experienced controller — has declined 10% below the recent peak of 11,753 in September 2012 to 10,859 as of Aug. 22, the union said.

Trish Gilbert, a union vice president, likened the situation to April 2013 when automatic, government-wide spending cuts imposed by Congress forced the furlough of 10% of the controller workforce. During the seven days the furlough was in place, 12,760 flights were delayed — about three times the normal number. Amid complaints from disgruntled travelers, Congress passed an exception to the budget cuts for controllers.

Meanwhile, of the 10,859 certified controllers, 30% are currently eligible to retire, Gilbert said.

FAA officials didn’t reply to a request for comment.