An internal FAA safety report reveals that staffing at the Ronald Reagan National Airport's air traffic control tower was significantly below optimal levels during a recent incident. Typically, two controllers manage air traffic—one for helicopters and another for planes—but one controller was responsible for both roles during a high-traffic time. This situation is not isolated, as the tower has struggled with chronic understaffing, operating with only 19 certified controllers compared to a target of 30. This staffing crisis forces controllers to work increasingly long hours, raising safety concerns.
Staffing at the air traffic control tower at Reagan National Airport was nearly a third below targeted levels, with one controller handling multiple high-demand roles.
The workload for air traffic controllers has increased significantly, with many working up to six days a week for ten hours each day due to severe staffing shortages.
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