“Major US airlines to cut summer flights amid air traffic personnel shortage in New York”

airlines United, JetBlue, American and Delta will decrease the total number of flights this summer in the New York area, United States (USA), due to a severe shortage of personnel of air traffic, in addition to the fact that operations in the state of New Jersey will also be shortened, specifically in the towns of JFK, La Guardia and Newark, by up to 10%.

The above was made up of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), while JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes lamented “summer is going to be really hard again” also expressing “we need to reduce flights and make sure we can operate the ones we have.”

According to the FFA, as of early March 2023, New York air traffic control workers were estimated to be operating at 54% of required levels, that is to say, there was a 46% deficit to offer the flight service in a normal way.

About, The organization said it is taking several steps to keep air travel to and from New York City safe this summer. and smoothly, even as we see strong domestic demand and a return to pre-pandemic international traffic.

To help prevent disruption, the agency will give airlines flexibility in slot usage requirements. In turn, the FAA expects airlines to take steps to minimize impacts to passengers, including operating larger aircraft to carry more passengers and making sure passengers are fully informed of any potential disruptions.

Pilot training takes up to 3 years

At the national level, in the United States the workforce is 81%, although without the reduction of flights in JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark, approximately 45% of all flights to or from the region could experience delays this coming summerso users are recommended to start taking forecasts.

Official reports reveal that part of this staff shortage is that training takes up to 36 months, that is, 3 years, And if that is added to the cancellation of training sessions due to the COVID-19 health crisis a few years ago, the situation worsened.

One of the solutions that the FFA will give to mitigate air congestion is that it will allow airlines to use up to 10% of their “slots” (allocation of landing and takeoff times) at airports. JFK and LaGuardia and adjust runway hours in Newark between May 15 and September 15, but the request must be made before April 30, 2023.