© Reuters. U.S. President Joe Biden smiles as he speaks during a campaign event at Pullman Yards in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. March 9, 2024. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
(Reuters) – The Biden administration said Monday it is seeking funding from Congress to hire another 2,000 air traffic controllers in the 2025 budget year after a series of near-miss incidents.
The Federal Aviation Administration is facing a persistent shortage of controllers that has caused flight delays and forced the FAA to extend cuts to minimum flight requirements at congested New York City-area airports through October 2024. At many facilities, controllers are working mandatory overtime and six-day work weeks to cover staffing shortages. The FAA wants $43 million to accelerate the hiring and training controllers.
