The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) announced it has commissioned a new research study into air traffic controller understaffing.
Working in partnership with the Centre for Future Work, the ITF will examine the scale, causes and consequences of understaffing in air traffic control operations across the globe. The ITF said air traffic controller shortages are escalating and as a result placing more and more strain on the safety, efficiency and reliability of global aviation.
“Air traffic controllers are the backbone of safe functioning of aviation systems,” said Sara Nelson, chair of the ITF’s Civil Aviation Section, said. “Air traffic control depends on a highly skilled workforce operating in complex, high-pressure environments, where staffing levels must be constantly monitored to ensure sustainable workloads, avoid fatigue and maintain safety. Yet in many countries, inadequate workforce planning is intensifying these pressures, contributing to a widening gap between staffing needs and capacity.”
The study, slated for completion by the end of this year, is expected to provide a comprehensive global assessment of the air traffic controller workforce crisis, and will identify key priorities and recommendations for governments, regulators and industry stakeholders. The report is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
“There is growing concern about shortages of air traffic controllers in many countries, but limited global analysis of the problem,” Jim Stanford, Economist and Director of the Centre for Future Work, said. “This project will bring together new evidence to better understand its causes and consequences.”