Trump’s cuts at the FAA could underscore the risks of shrinking government

WASHINGTON – After recent layoffs of employees at the Federal Aviation Administration and a string of aviation incidents, passengers and experts expressed concerns that U.S. airlines’ excellent safety record could be at risk.

About 400 probationary workers were removed from the FAA beginning on February 14, just weeks after the DCA midair collision on January 29 that left 67 dead. On February 17, at least 18 people were injured when a Delta Airlines flight from Minneapolis crash-landed upside down on a runway at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

The layoffs are part of an extensive effort spearheaded by the newly-established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk, to consolidate the federal government. Some experts cautioned that given the high profile of aviation safety, cuts at the FAA could demonstrate the perils of shrinking government.

While no air traffic controllers were laid off, aviation safety experts warned that cuts could further strain the agency, which has long suffered from staffing shortages.

So far, some 400 of about 45,000 FAA employees have been laid off, according to a post on X by Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy. Of them, 132 belong to the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), a union representing about 11,000 FAA employees, according to Dave Spero, the organization’s president.

Aeronautical safety specialists, maintenance mechanics, and employees in aviation safety assistance roles were among those who were terminated, according to Spero. Although no air traffic controllers were laid off, Spero emphasized that these roles are critical positions within the FAA.

The impact of recent layoffs

Experts said these layoffs will only worsen pre-existing staffing problems.

“I don't want to sound hyperbolic, but the system is operating under a lot of dynamic stresses. As it is, with the normal staffing problems, with the normal retirement challenges and things like that that are going on, this is going to make it so much worse,” said Philip Mann, a former FAA certified technician and aviation safety expert.

Following the DCA midair collision, Americans’ confidence in air travel dipped slightly, with 64% of U.S. adults saying plane travel is very or somewhat safe, down from 71% last year, according to an Associated Press-NORC poll. Public faith in the federal government’s ability to maintain air safety also dropped slightly.

Still, experts stressed that the National Airspace System and commercial flight in the U.S. is still the safest way to travel.

However, Mann commented that many of those laid off worked to maintain air traffic controllers' systems, which could cause system outages similar to weather delays that travelers are used to. Since air traffic will only be able to manage a lighter load of aircrafts, an increase in flight delays is a very possible consequence of the layoffs.

“There won't be more crashes,” he said. “There will be fewer airplanes flying.”

A former air traffic controller echoed Mann’s outlook on the layoffs.

“To an extent, it could slow things down, but at the same time, it's not an immediate safety risk,” said the former air traffic controller, who recently resigned and asked to remain anonymous while searching for other work.

The former air traffic controller said they see a benefit in smaller government.

“I'm a fan of downsizing government,” they said. “I do think that there's a lot of bloat in certain areas, but I guess my balanced opinion is that it stinks that the people that are getting harmed by it are people that just show up to their job every day.”

Congress examines the future of FAA infrastructure

Spero appeared as a witness at a House Subcommittee on Aviation hearing aimed at addressing a need for the modernization of the U.S. air traffic control system.

Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Troy E. Nehls (R-Texas-22) opened the hearing by emphasizing the importance of upgrading technology and improving hiring at the FAA.

“This moment in time represents a unique opportunity for the members of this subcommittee and all aviation stakeholders to coalesce around a common goal: meaningful air traffic control modernization that will benefit the flying public and all users of the National Airspace System,” Nehls said.

Spero emphasized a need for adequate staffing and better management of aging equipment systems within the agency. In an interview following the congressional hearing, Spero reiterated his union members' critical role in the agency and the dangers of gambling with future safety by terminating employees.

“Without us, you can't even go into a terminal radar approach control and turn on the light. We provide all of the power and electronics to make that stuff happen,” he said.

What Americans need to know

Despite recent air accidents, experts emphasized that air travel still remained safe.

“I think everyone has heightened awareness because of the Washington, D.C., midair collision accident, but I do not see some nefarious trend or anything,” said Jeff Guzzetti, an aviation safety consultant and former Chief Accident Investigator at the FAA.

However, other experts are concerned about the recent accidents.

“I think the media tends to try to sensationalize things and make a problem, but a problem doesn't exist without foundation,” said Rich Martindell, an aviation safety consultant and a retired Air Force aircraft accident investigator.

With safety and operations under scrutiny, many aviation experts cautioned against more layoffs.

“It's too early to tell what these FAA layoffs will do to safety, but I do hope that they stop. The FAA has perennially been understaffed and at this point in time. With the public having such attention on aviation safety, it's not a good look for the administration to target the FAA for any of these workforce reductions,” Guzzetti said.

Mann underscored that people’s lives are at risk.

“I will argue that there is no such thing as a job in the Department of Transportation, which includes the FAA, that does not somehow impact either safety directly, or it impacts the people who do impact safety directly.”

Lenna Peterson covers politics for Medill on the Hill. She is a junior at Northwestern University pursuing a double major in journalism and history and a certificate in Holocaust studies. While in Evanston, she serves as an executive producer, reporter and anchor for Northwestern News Network. From Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Peterson interned on the Copywriting Team at Rocket Mortgage this past summer.