The FAA has made efforts to find more candidates in recent weeks, including launching its "Be ATC" campaign to "hire the next generation of air traffic controllers." The application process opened June 24 to eligible US citizens, but the window of opportunity is open only through June 27. However, he said the agency needs to do a better job of recruiting young people. Henry Harteveldt, travel analyst and president of Atmosphere Research Group, told Insider that hiring is a big challenge for the FAA because of the long process, which includes interviews, training, and drug tests.
Moreover, the agency said there will be no space launch during the Fourth of July weekend and that it has "added alternate routes and placed more controllers in high demand areas." The agency also said in a comment that there is "not a system-wide air traffic controller shortage" and that the driving factor for delays and cancelations in Florida is convective weather and demand to travel to the state. The FAA confirmed to Insider that additional controllers have been added to the team in Jacksonville, but did not give a specific number. In May, the FAA met with airlines to discuss the issues, and the agency committed to "immediately increase the number of authorized staff at Jacksonville Center and evaluate other Florida facilities."Īccording to a source familiar with the FAA's hiring plan, 30 new controllers have been hired at the center as of June 17, local Jacksonville news station News4JAX reported. The facility oversees air traffic in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and North and South Carolina, controlling about 250 military and civilian airports, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The group specifically pointed to the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center in Florida, which the Air Line Pilots Association says has been understaffed for 27 of the last 30 days. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.
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