More Unacceptable FAA Delays

Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) released the following statement:

“Yesterday, the FAA implemented another ground delay at Austin Bergstrom-International Airport (ABIA) on short notice, which affected numerous flights. Inbound flights on Sunday were delayed as much as two and a half hours. Travelers returning home and Central Texans meeting incoming passengers at the airport can expect more FAA-mandated delays during this busy holiday season. Best to check ahead as much as possible.

“As a frequent traveler, while I am concerned about the inconvenience caused by such persistent delays, I am even more concerned about the traveling public’s safety at an airport that has experienced six near-catastrophes in the past two years.  

“Over a year ago, the FAA Administrator sat in my Washington office and stated that Austin’s understaffing of air traffic controllers was, ‘as bad as it gets.’ Yet as I told the Administrator today, despite my continued efforts to seek action and answers, our situation is worse. The number of air traffic controllers at the AUS control tower has decreased, not increased, as the tower struggles to keep staffing at even half the level recommended by the FAA.

“Until it prioritizes action to expand Austin’s controlled airspace and staff our understaffed and overworked airport control tower with an adequate number of air traffic controllers, the FAA continues to expose ABIA travelers to an inadequate margin of safety. Reports of near-catastrophic incidents like the small Cessna plane coming within 350 feet of a packed American Airlines flight in October have happened too often. I continue urging the FAA to act before lives are lost.” 

Background on near catastrophes at ABIA:

1. In October 2024, an American Airlines jet and Cessna plane nearly collided.
2. In September 2023, an F-18 fighter jet flew too close to a Cessna Citation private jet.
3. In June 2023, an Allegiant jetliner came within proximity of a small plane.
4. In April 2023, a SkyWest Airlines jet almost flew into the path of a Southwest plane.
5. In February 2023, a Southwest Airlines plane with passengers and a FedEx cargo plane nearly collided on an ABIA runway.
6. In November 2022, a near collision almost occurred between a Southwest and American Airlines aircraft.