FAA Job Cuts Raise Safety Concerns Amidst Recent Air Traffic Incidents

FAA Job Cuts Raise Safety Concerns

The Trump administration's decision to fire hundreds of FAA employees, including some who maintain critical air traffic control infrastructure, has sparked concerns about safety and efficiency. This comes amidst a series of recent air traffic incidents, including a deadly midair collision and several fatal plane crashes.

The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) union reported that "several hundred" workers received termination notices, including engineers and technicians. The union claims that non-probationary technicians were also fired, with a total of less than 300 roles terminated.

These job cuts are particularly concerning given the FAA's recent struggles to recruit air traffic controllers. An increase in recruitment during the previous two administrations was hampered by budget cuts that limited training and certification.

Furthermore, the move comes just weeks after a series of deadly air traffic incidents, raising concerns about the impact of these job cuts on public safety.

The PASS union emphasized the importance of these employees and expressed concerns about the potential impact on safety and efficiency within the FAA.

Probationary employees targeted by these cuts have limited recourse to employment tribunals. This situation raises concerns about the potential impact on safety and efficiency within the FAA, especially in light of recent air traffic incidents.