@Stocklib-Maksim Shmeljov
The main American airlines have reduced their summer flight schedule in three airports in the Northeast of the USA, facing the shortage of flight controllers announced by the FAA.
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines et United Airlines as well as JetBlue Airways have all confirmed a preventive reduction of their offer this summer to New York-JFK et LaGuardia as well as Washington-Reagan, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily relaxing minimum flight requirements in late March citing staff shortages at northeastern US control towers. The FAA’s “flexibility” on the use of flight slots runs from May 15 to September 15, 2023.
Airlines have until the end of the month to announce which flights they intend to maintain this summer. American Airlines for example should reduce operations between LaGuardia and Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Kansas City and St. Louis, but also between Newark-Liberty.
United, Delta et JetBlue have yet to detail the cuts in their schedule, with JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes telling ch-aviation: this summer is going to be very difficult again “, cuts at JFK and LaGuardia to be announced” once we have finalized our plan “. At Delta, a statement explains that we are “reviewing the network to ensure the best customer experience throughout the summer travel season, and we are committed to working with the FAA on measures to ensure safety and efficiency. operations at NY/NJ airports”.
According to the FAA, despite the complexity of air traffic in the region due to the proximity of several major airports and which leads to numerous delays, ATC staffing is “on average 54%, 27% below the national standard of 81%. She expects a 7% increase in air traffic in the northeast, and a 45% increase in delays compared to the summer of 2022 – when the staff shortage was glaring but at airports. One of the solutions put forward to the shortage of air traffic controllers is to transfer responsibility for controlling Newark to Philadelphia – a transfer which would not begin until next September.
©SITA
