Reagan Airport air traffic controllers working 6-day weeks amid staff crisis

Ronald Reagan Washington’s National Airport is still facing an airfitting crisis, and observers work for six days to compensate for this deficiency.

Fox News Digital has told the Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday that Virginia Airport currently has 26 accredited professional control units – that is, less than the minimum level of employment included on its website. The agency said that the controllers are working in additional work when it was appointed.

However, the labor union representing the control units, the National Air traffic monitors (NATCA), told Fox 5 DC that the airport is facing a 33 % deficiency in the control units. There are only 20 employees while there must be 30 employees, according to the perpetrator, citing the union.

Fears related to employees at Reagan National Airport increased in the wake of the collision of the January dress that included a passenger plane and a military helicopter that killed 67 people.

Increase the air traffic control crew, supervisors at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

There was a shortage of all over the country in air traffic monitors, with the need for about 3000 others for the entire employees of the system, according to Fox 5.

To help treat the gap at the airport, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that six permanent control units and four temporary individuals are expected to be placed in the coming months.

FAA employee is accused of attacking after a fight in the air traffic control tower at Reagan National Airport

Delta air flight is approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on July 2, 2022. (Stephanie Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images)

The agency said: “The Federal Aviation Administration is obligated to increase the workforce of the air traffic controller and set ambitious employment targets to alleviate the demands of the current control units,” adding that the operating traffic management coordinators (TMC) are currently appointed, and it is scheduled to reach additional choices.

On the contrary, Natca was said to have told Fox 5 that there is no TMCS currently working in the facility.

Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on January 30, 2025. (Lee Green in favor of Fox News Digital News)

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FAA emphasized that its focus is “getting the best and brightest” in its academy and “be sure to fill every seat for the coming classes.”

Natca did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.