International Federation Sounds US Airspace Warning Due to Sequester Cuts [View all]

[Triana]

If you’ve flown over the last few days, especially through JFK, LAX or another major airport, you might have noticed that things aren’t running as smoothly as they could. You’re not alone in noticing this. Air travelers suffered through long delays starting on Monday as the sequester-imposed furloughs (being put on involuntary leave) kicked in.

Brendan Buck, Speaker John Boehner’s spokesman, was quick to blame Obama, tweeting, “No one likes sequestration, but FAA is ignoring authority it has and making it as painful as possible for air travelers #obamaflightdelays.”

However, the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) today warned that the operation of the USA’s National Airspace System is being put in danger by compulsory furloughing of Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control staff. The furloughs are taking place as part of federal ‘sequestration’ cost-cutting, despite the long-standing recognition that air traffic control cannot arbitrarily lose staff at times of high traffic.

Speaking from the IFATCA (International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations) conference in Indonesia, ITF general secretary David Cockroft said, “This is not a labor dispute – it’s an unprecedented measure that should be gravely worrying to everyone in the aviation community. The removal of staff, especially at peak traffic flow periods means that it’s not just punctuality and efficiency being put at risk here, but, potentially, safety too.”

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http://www.politicususa.com/international-federation-sounds-airspace-warning-due-sequestration-cuts.html