Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a new set of rules designed to mitigate fatigue among air traffic controllers.

FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker revealed that the agency is implementing mandatory rest periods for controllers, requiring 12 hours off before midnight shifts and 10 hours off between shifts. This decision, effective in 90 days, follows a comprehensive study by a panel of fatigue experts initiated by the FAA late last year.

The experts’ 114-page report highlighted the dangers of sleep deprivation, especially during night shifts, noting it could significantly compromise safety and increase the risk of accidents. Whitaker highlighted the critical nature of these findings. “In my first few months at the helm of the FAA, I toured air traffic control facilities around the country — and heard concerns about schedules that do not always allow controllers to get enough rest,” he stated. “With the safety of our controllers and national airspace always top of mind for FAA, I took this very seriously — and we’re taking action.”

However, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) ‘s response to the new guidelines was mixed. While they expressed encouragement over the FAA’s proactive steps, they also voiced disappointment about the lack of collaborative efforts in developing these guidelines. Furthermore, NATCA has raised concerns about the rapid implementation of the rules, fearing it may exacerbate existing staffing shortages.

“For more than a decade, NATCA has been sounding the alarm about the FAA’s staffing shortage and the fatigue and stress that places on the hardworking controllers we represent,” NATCA noted in a statement. The union warned that the “immediate” application of the new rules might lead to insufficient coverage, forcing mandatory overtime and potentially increasing fatigue, thus undermining the new policy’s effectiveness.