Call for more air traffic controllers after airport incidents

Lawmakers are calling for more air traffic controllers amid a series of recent runway incursions and near misses at airports.

There should be adequate funds for more air traffic controllers, a U.S. Senate panel overseeing aviation said.

“We don’t have enough air traffic controllers,” said Tammy Duckworth, chairs of the subcommittee.

The Department of Transportation has asked for $117 million to recruit 1,800 more air traffic controllers next year.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association union has pressured the FAA to significantly increase ATC staffing.

Airlines and airports also support more staffing.

Since the beginning of the year, a number of near misses have occurred at airports.

Additionally, the FAA will extend the time captured by black box cockpit recorders.

This comes after at least one was already overwritten recently before NTSB safety investigators could investigate.

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