Austin Airport Faces Air Traffic Controller Shortage Amid Deadly Collision Inquiry

In the wake of a tragic plane collision near Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people, Congressman Lloyd Doggett has voiced concerns over the critical shortage of air traffic controllers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. He highlighted that the airport has been operating with about half the necessary controllers, leading to stressful working conditions and recent near misses. Preliminary reports indicate that the air traffic control tower at Ronald Reagan National Airport was also understaffed during the crash, with one controller managing multiple aircraft. Doggett criticized President Trump's comments linking diversity and inclusion practices to the incident, stating that the focus should be on ensuring air traffic safety. The crash, which could be the deadliest in nearly 24 years, has prompted renewed calls for immediate action to address air traffic control staffing nationwide. Investigations by the FAA and NTSB are ongoing to determine the causes of the collision and prevent future tragedies.