Things got even worse this past Friday at chronically delayed New York LaGuardia (LGA). In a prepared statement, the National Air Traffiic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) says the Federal Aviation Administration, “was forced to delay flights headed [there] because it didn’t have enough controllers at the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control facility (TRACON) in Westbury, NY”.
In its release, NATCA quoted a message that appeared on printers at all FAA facilities nationwide the afternoon of July 18. Here, in part, is what it said: “There is a ground delay program in effect for flights arriving LGA…due to N90 staffing shortage.”
NATCA, which has been embroiled in a bitter contract dispute with the agency for the past couple of years, contends: “This is the latest event in a chronic problem caused by FAA failure to properly staff this [New York TRACON] facility and the continuing effects of the FAA’s imposed work and pay rules.”
NATCA maintains the problems have led to the loss of 23 fully certified controllers – with the addition of no new certified controllers – in the past 22 months.
According to FlightStats, even absent Friday’s delays, New York LaGuardia remains about rock-bottom in terms of on-time arrivals. The percentage fluctuates in the low 50 percent range.
American Eagle’s recent announcement that it is radically cutting service to the close-in pocketport may ease congestion at LaGuardia later this year.
© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler
