Durbin Discusses FAA Reauthorization with President of Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center
Durbin and ARTCC President Toby Hauck spoke about addressing the dangerous shortage of air traffic controllers
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Toby Hauck, President of the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and Illinois-based air traffic controllers from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. During their meeting, Durbin discussed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that was released earlier this week. The proposed bill would authorize more than $105 billion to fund FAA through Fiscal Year 2028. Of that $105 billion, $66.7 billion would be allocated to FAA operations that fund key safety programs, from aircraft certification reform to air carrier oversight. It would also enable hiring, training, and retention of safety-critical staff like air traffic controllers to address the current staffing crisis.
The Fiscal Year 2024 transportation appropriations bill, which Durbin helped craft as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, included a $1 billion increase forFAA to fund the hiring of 1,800 new air traffic controllers and improve training facilities.
“When we arrive at the airport, we expect to have a safe flight to our destination. But that’s not possible without the critical work of air traffic controllers, who are spread thin as the industry faces a staffing shortage,” said Durbin. “Today, I hosted Toby Hauck, President of the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center, and Illinois-based air traffic controllers in my Washington office to discuss how the federal government can best support the industry.”
A photo of the meeting is available here.
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