More flights are scheduled in the U.S. than air traffic control can handle, say authorities

The U.S. aviation system is expected to “remain challenged this summer and beyond,” and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) needs more air traffic control staff, a senior United Airlines executive said on Wednesday.

Travellers are already facing a tough summer with mounting flight cancellations amid rising demand as the industry tries to rebuild staff levels after thousands of workers left during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The reality is that there are just more flights scheduled industry-wide than the [air traffic control] staffing system can handle,” United’s chief operations officer, Jon Roitman, said in a message to staff seen by Reuters.

“Until that is resolved, we