The FAA rejected a request to upgrade Austin-Bergstrom International Airport's airspace from Class C to Class B, citing regulatory thresholds. Class B airspace imposes stricter pilot rules and gives controllers greater authority. A reclassification would have triggered a 15% automatic pay increase for controllers at ABIA. The control tower currently staffs fewer than half the 60 controllers recommended, producing heavier workloads and mandatory overtime. The FAA's Austin air traffic manager began compiling documents for an upgrade in November 2023, and internal emails showed some regional staff supported the change. ABIA recorded under 261,000 takeoffs and landings in 2024, below the 300,000 requirement.
Class B airspace - one notch above Austin's Class C airspace - is highly regulated to reduce the risk of midair collisions. Pilots must follow stricter rules, and air traffic controllers have greater authority. A reclassification to Class B would also have triggered an automatic 15% pay hike for air traffic controllers in the short-staffed control tower at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
But ABIA technically isn't busy enough to step up to Class B, according to agency regulations. While ABIA does meet some requirements, a Class B airport must have at least 300,000 takeoffs and landings per year. FAA data show ABIA had fewer than 261,000 in 2024. However, internal e-mails showed some regional FAA staff were supportive of moving Austin to Class B or called the move overdue. One manager offered advice on how to make the most compelling argument to senior leadership.
Collection
[
|
...
]