FAA layoffs spark flight safety concerns amid staffing crisis

The weekend saw hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) workers laid off, a move that came after the country saw three air disasters this year, including the deadly midair collision between a helicopter and a commercial plane near Washington, DC.

The news was followed by an incident involving a Delta plane that crash-landed in Toronto on Monday and overturned on the runway.

In a statement posted to X on Monday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy defended the firings, stating that less than 400 probationary workers were let go from a total of 45,000 FAA employees, assuring that no critical safety personnel or air traffic controllers were affected.

The staff cut comes when aviation experts have been voicing concerns. According to the leader of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) union that represents FAA employees, the agency “is already challenged by understaffing.”

The union also criticized the firings and said the employees were laid off without cause.

Meanwhile, Duffy revealed plans to reform the air traffic control system with assistance from a team affiliated with Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

The FAA’s staffing challenges continue to prompt scrutiny, especially regarding safety standards amid regulatory changes.