During an investigation into a serious incident at Bordeaux Airport on December 31, 2022, a report by the Bureau d'enquête et d'analyse (BEA) has established a direct link between the practice of 'dégagements' and the incident. The incident involved an Easyjet Airbus A320 from London and a waiting airliner on the same runway. The absence of half of the scheduled air traffic controllers on that day was identified as a contributing factor to the incident. The report also highlights the lack of control over the effective working hours of air traffic controllers. The BEA recommends that the Direction des services de la navigation aérienne (DSNA) implement an automatic and personalized means of recording the presence of controllers in position and on-site. The Minister of Transport has requested the development of an action plan to implement the BEA's recommendations [70e722eb].
This incident underscores the ongoing issue of absenteeism among air traffic controllers, which has been a concern in the United States as well. The shortage of qualified controllers and the resulting exhausted workforce have raised safety risks and led to dangerous mistakes. The Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.) has announced plans to form a panel to investigate the potential risks posed by exhaustion among air traffic controllers. The F.A.A. administrator, Michael Whitaker, stated that the issue of fatigue is being taken very seriously and that the agency will act accordingly to mitigate any risks identified. Lawmakers and industry representatives have called on the F.A.A. to address the shortage in air traffic controllers, with concerns raised about safety risks and the potential for catastrophic consequences. Senator Jeanne Shaheen sent a letter urging the agency to review measures in place to address controller fatigue and increase mental health resources and support. The F.A.A. emphasizes that safety is paramount and will always be prioritized over efficiency [993344db].
The air traffic control system in the United States has been facing challenges due to a critical shortage of qualified controllers. Experts have proposed transferring the system from the Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.) to a nonprofit corporation and funding it through user fees, similar to Canada's approach. This would allow for the hiring of more controllers and investment in advanced technologies. Privatizing the air traffic control system would also address the disproportionate allocation of resources to corporate jets, reduce airport congestion, and ensure fair payment from private-jet owners. However, political obstacles have hindered the implementation of such proposals. The article suggests that if voters understood the impact of these interest groups on air travel, Congress might be motivated to act [993344db].
In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is delaying the implementation of new air traffic control rest requirements. The new rules, which would require air traffic controllers to have 10 hours off between shifts and 12 hours off before a midnight shift, were set to take effect in 90 days. However, the FAA is now holding discussions with the controllers' union to reach a joint agreement on new rest periods and develop a strategy for implementation by 2025 or sooner [586979a4].