The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says air traffic control staff shortages in North America continue to produce unacceptable delays and disruptions for the travelling public on both sides of the border.
“Over the past 12-18 months airlines have responded to the very strong post-pandemic travel demand by adding tens of thousands of employees to their workforces. U.S. passenger airline employment is now at its highest level in over two decades, for example,” IATA says.
On the U.S. side, the airline organization says the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has allowed the controller workforce to shrink to the point where it is challenged to maintain continuity of operations at the country’s most critical air traffic control facilities.
IATA says the problems extend into Canada as well.
“Recent press reports highlight how NAV Canada, the Canadian air navigation services provider (ANSP), is also letting down airlines and the travelling public, with hundreds of flights canceled owing to controller shortages,” IATA says.
“This comes as the Canadian government is revising passenger rights legislation, solely placing the burden of care and compensation on airlines, irrespective of the root cause of disruptions and delays.”
IATA says it agrees with the Canadian government that shared accountability is needed across the entire value chain, but that airlines shouldn’t be singled out.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh. (Photo Credit: Asociación de Transporte Aéreo Internacional)
“Instead of focusing on bureaucratic and punitive legislation, the government needs to urgently address the shortfalls in those sections of the aviation ecosystem which it controls. Asking airlines to negotiate performance agreements with monopoly service providers reflects a lack of understanding of the industry and will not improve the overall travel experience,” said IATA Director General Willie Walsh.
“Ottawa and Washington, DC need to take ownership of the issues under their direct control and lead in resolving them. Furthermore, refraining from doubling down on costly and poorly thought-out air travel consumer rights regulations in both countries, would free up resources across the entire value chain, in order to enhance the customer experience,” said Walsh.
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