The San Carlos Airport in California is at risk of losing all its air traffic controllers within days due to a contract dispute with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Amid the dispute, the airport is considering the temporary use of unstaffed tower procedures.
Why It Matters
Public concerns over air safety have risen after a deadly collision between an American Airlines plane and Army helicopter just outside of Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night, killing all 67 people aboard the two aircraft.
If San Carlos Airport loses its air traffic controllers, and air traffic towers are forced to go unmanned, it could create safety issues in the event of technical failures or poor weather conditions. These concerns are particularly relevant at busy airports like San Carlos, where pilots have reported heavy air traffic.
What To Know
Airport manager Gretchen Kelly said in a statement that San Carlos Airport (SQL) could no longer have air traffic controllers guiding planes in and out of the airport by Saturday after the FAA changed contracts to a controller firm, Robinson Aviation (RVA), with lower pay that does not “account for the high cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area.”
Kelly added that all the airport’s controllers have declined RVA’s offers and have resigned. Air traffic control services are currently provided to the airport by Serco.
“As a contingency, RVA is preparing to bring in controllers from other towers across the country to prevent an ATC-Zero (unstaffed tower) situation on Saturday,” she said.
Kelly added that the airport requested temporary FAA staffing for the tower, similar to the solution being used at Eagle County Regional Airport in Colorado during its transition from Serco to RVA. She added that San Carlos Airport is also considering reinstating Serco for tower operations. However, she noted, “the FAA informed us this morning that they will not provide temporary personnel for SQL.”
If RVA is not able to bring in controllers from other towers, and the control tower is unmanned, it could create some safety issues at the airport. For example, unmanned air traffic towers rely on advanced technology, including cameras, radar, and remote communication, to manage flights, so system failures like camera malfunctions or connectivity issues can compromise situational awareness, leading to delays or safety risks.
And unlike traditional towers, remote systems may not provide the same clarity, especially in poor weather conditions, making quick decision-making more difficult. Additionally, latency in transmitting real-time data can be problematic in emergencies or high-traffic areas, further raising safety concerns.
It comes after a deadly mid-air collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter took place near Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night. The crash has sparked questions about safety protocols
The plane was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. They included several U.S. figure skaters. Three soldiers were in the helicopter. There were no survivors from the crash.
The exact cause of the collision is currently under investigation. According to a report in The New York Times, the Black Hawk helicopter may have been flying too high and at least half a mile off its approved path, citing multiple people briefed on the matter.
The Associated Press also reports that at the time of the collision, there was one air traffic controller coordinating both helicopter traffic and arriving and departing planes, citing a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report.
What People Are Saying
San Carlos airport spokesperson Davi Howard said: “Pilots remain well-trained in non-towered airport procedures. Additionally, the surrounding airspace remains under the direct oversight of the FAA’s Northern California Terminal Radar Approach Control.”
U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin told NBC Bay Area: “It is well known that the San Francisco Bay Area has a high cost of living, and federal agencies need to account for regional differences when evaluating how to establish contracts for critical services. I am pleased to learn that contract negotiations have moved in a positive direction and a resolution is forthcoming.”
What Happens Next
Negotiations are currently ongoing. However, Howard told NBC that San Mateo County and the airport understand that the controllers and RVA have nearly reached an agreement, and there will likely be no lapse in air traffic control services.
Mullin also said a resolution is forthcoming. This has not yet been confirmed.
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