The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is reviewing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its workforce reductions amid concerns about air safety following the deadliest crash in decades last month near Washington, D.C.
In a statement, reported by Bloomberg, NATCA, the union representing aviation safety professionals, said it is “analyzing the effect of the reported federal employee terminations on aviation safety, the national airspace system and our members.”
A late-night email on Friday notified probationary workers that they were fired from the FAA. One air traffic controller said the impacted workers include employees hired for the FAA’s radar, landing and navigational aid maintenance.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has defended the workforce reductions, which are a part of the Trump administration’s efforts to shrink the government and cut costs, while saying the cuts were not impacting the safety of the nation’s airways. He said there were less than 400 people fired from the agency’s “staggering” 45,000 employees.
Duffy noted in his statement that air traffic controllers were not part of the firings, and even previously called for more to be hired despite the federal cuts.
The Hill has reached out to NATCA for more information.
In January, an American Airlines flight collided with a Black Hawk helicopter just before landing near Washington, D.C. More than 60 people died, making it the worst U.S. aviation crash in more than 20 years.
Worries about the crowded airspace near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport had been growing in recent years as more flights were scheduled, and as helicopter traffic near the airport continued to rise.
The firings are part of the federal government’s restructuring under the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency’s plans to slash federal spending. Departments across the government have seen their workforces cut, mostly through probationary employees who have less time in their positions.
NATCA said its Region X employees, including engineers, aircraft certification specialists, staff support specialists and aviation technical systems specialists, were among those impacted by the firings.
