Midair Collision Raises Concerns Over Air Traffic Controller Shortages
A tragic midair collision near Reagan Washington National Airport, which claimed 67 lives, has reignited concerns about the ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers and the rising number of near-collisions at airports across the country.
Air Traffic Control Staffing Concerns
In Southern California, officials at major airports—including Los Angeles International (LAX), Ontario International, and John Wayne Airport—declined to comment on staffing levels and near-miss incidents, referring all questions to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). However, FAA officials were unavailable to discuss the matter.
According to the FAA’s 2024-2033 workforce plan, the current number of certified controllers and trainees at these airports is:
LAX – 39 certified controllers, 9 trainees
Ontario International – 14 certified controllers
John Wayne Airport – 16 certified controllers, 2 trainees
At Reagan National, where the accident occurred, there are 25 certified controllers and 3 trainees, though the FAA says the tower should have 28 controllers.
Union Response
Galen Munroe, a spokesperson for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said his office received hundreds of calls following the crash. While he did not comment directly on the collision, he acknowledged the severe shortage of controllers.
“This is a real issue that needs immediate attention,” Munroe said, explaining that many controllers are forced to work 10-hour shifts six days a week.
He noted that at least 14,000 certified controllers are needed to meet the demand, but hiring and training new controllers is a long process. Additionally, a high retirement rate has worsened the problem.
Representatives for the union representing John Wayne Airport controllers did not respond to requests for comment.
FAA Audit Exposes Gaps
A 2023 audit by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General found that the FAA had made only limited efforts to ensure proper staffing at 26 key air traffic control facilities. The audit warned that staffing shortages posed a risk to flight safety and the continuity of air traffic operations.
The COVID-19 pandemic further disrupted hiring efforts, leaving the FAA with about 13,300 controllers nationwide—including 10,600 certified professionals and 26% still in training.
By 2024, the FAA had hired 1,811 new controllers, marking its largest hiring effort in nearly a decade. Even with these hires, shortages remain critical.
Increase in Near-Collisions
The number of near-misses at U.S. airports has risen sharply, with five incidents reported in 2022 and 11 in 2023, according to Politico.
Some recent incidents include:
December 2024 – A private jet carrying the Gonzaga University men’s basketball team nearly collided with a Delta flight at LAX. An air traffic controller urgently ordered the pilot to stop.
February 2023 – A Southwest Airlines jet and a FedEx cargo plane came within 100 feet of each other at an Austin airport.
January 2025 – The fatal midair collision at Reagan National involving an American Airlines flight and an Army Black Hawk helicopter.
Impact on General Aviation
The controller shortage has also affected smaller airports, including Torrance, Santa Monica, Chino, and French Valley. Many flights rely on controller guidance, but shortages often mean pilots must navigate without assistance.
“In about two-thirds of flights, controllers are simply too busy to help,” said Jeff Timko, a flight instructor at Top Flight Aviation in Corona. “They’re like a second set of eyes in the sky. Without them, you’re flying blind.”
Timko pointed out that other countries require general aviation pilots to stay in direct communication with air traffic controllers at all times. If controllers are unavailable, flights must be grounded.
“In the U.S., pilots can fly in uncontrolled airspace without a controller watching them, which adds risk,” he explained.
He also noted that controller retirements are outpacing new hires. The FAA requires controllers to retire at age 56 due to the stress of the job, and more aircraft in the skies means increasing workload and risk.
“The problem keeps growing, and we need a real solution,” Timko said.
