The head of the Federal Aviation Administration on Friday said the agency will increase the required amount of rest time for air traffic controllers in response to concerns over fatigue amid a staffing shortage.
"In my first few months at the helm of the FAA, I toured air traffic control facilities around the country — and heard concerns about schedules that do not always allow controllers to get enough rest," FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in a statement.
A shortfall of air traffic controllers, made worse by a pause in hiring during the Covid-19 pandemic, has led to forced overtime and packed schedules for staff at some facilities.
Air traffic controllers in the U.S. are required to retire at age 56.
The announcement came alongside an FAA-ordered report on air traffic controller fatigue, which recommended the new rest requirements.
Persons:
Mike Whitaker
Organizations:
Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Boeing, Air
Locations:
U.S