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The U.S. Department of Transportation is offering a 20% salary bonus to eligible air traffic controllers who delay retirement, aiming to address a critical staffing shortage that has strained the nation’s aviation system.
“I think what is key, we have offered a bonus to air traffic controllers who are eligible to retire. We are going to pay them 20% bonus on their salary to stay longer. Don’t retire,” Duffy said during a CBS interview. “So as we bring more air traffic controllers in, and keep the older, experienced controllers, we’re going to be able to make up that difference.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the initiative as part of a broader strategy to retain experienced personnel while new controllers are trained and integrated into the workforce. Duffy acknowledged that resolving the shortage will take time, stating it could be “months, if not years” before the system stabilizes.
The staffing crisis has been linked to several recent aviation incidents. On May 22, a Cessna 550 crashed near San Diego’s Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport amid heavy fog, killing all six people on board. Investigations revealed that runway lights and weather alert systems were non-functional due to a power surge, and the pilot, aware of the poor visibility, did not declare an emergency before attempting to land.
In another incident on May 20, Delta Flight 1389 experienced an engine fire shortly after takeoff from Houston, causing panic among passengers. The crew managed to return safely to the airport, and the issue was attributed to a compressor stall. These events have heightened public concern over aviation safety and the adequacy of current staffing levels.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also working to improve operations at major airports like Newark, where infrastructure failures have compounded staffing issues. Duffy criticized previous administrations for neglecting these problems and emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent further incidents.
As the summer travel season approaches, the Department of Transportation’s efforts to retain experienced air traffic controllers and enhance training programs for new recruits are seen as crucial steps toward ensuring the safety and efficiency of air travel in the United States.
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