A preliminary internal report from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) suggests that staffing levels at the airport’s control tower were unusual given the time of day and the volume of air traffic. The report, obtained by The Associated Press, revealed that a single air traffic controller was handling two distinct roles at the time of the incident—responsibilities that are typically divided between two individuals.
“The position configuration was not normal for the time of day and volume of traffic,” the report states. Despite these findings, a source familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital that the control tower was staffed at what was considered a standard level that night. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that controllers frequently combine positions when stepping away for breaks, transitioning between shifts, or when air traffic is relatively light.
In this case, a supervisor authorized the role consolidation, though it remains unclear why. While previous reports described the air traffic that evening as heavy, the source characterized it as moderate.
The ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers at Reagan National has been an issue for years. As of September 2023, the tower employed only 19 fully certified controllers, falling short of the FAA and controllers’ union target of 30. This staffing challenge is not unique to Reagan National; many air traffic control facilities across the country have faced similar shortages.
Concerns over insufficient staffing in air traffic control have been raised before. Last year, Barry Biffle, CEO of Frontier Airlines, cautioned during an appearance on FOX Business Network’s The Claman Countdown that these shortages could lead to operational disruptions, particularly during peak travel seasons. He noted that while advancements in technology could enhance efficiency in the long run, the lack of controllers remains a significant contributor to flight delays and cancellations.