The American Travel Association is calling on the government as the busy July 4 holiday travel period approaches.
According to the organization, there is an urgent need for Congress to address staffing and funding shortages at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through the agency reauthorization invoice.
“US airlines have hired more than 55,000 new workers since 2022 to avoid delays, but we need Congressional legislation and FAA policy changes just to hire 1,800 air traffic controllers a year and ensure that “They are staffed in the right places,” he added. said Tori Emerson Barnes, executive vice president of public affairs and policy for the Travel Association, in a statement.
“This is unacceptable, and Congress and the FAA must act more quickly.”
“The freedom to travel is essential to our nation’s economy, but these staffing shortages and inefficiencies are putting unnecessary strain on the air transportation system,” Barnes added.
“The enormous demand we anticipate this weekend – driving travel spending in every part of the country – should prompt Congress to work quickly to finalize an FAA reauthorization bill that will make our transportation system more modern, more efficient and safer air transport for decades to come. “
This week, AAA Travel has planned a record 50.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the July 4 holiday period. Domestic travel is expected to increase by 2.1 million people from 2022 and surpass 2019’s total of 49 million U.S. travelers.
