Photo: Borisovstudio/Shutterstock
Munoz didn’t mince words about the state of the US air traffic control infrastructure, describing it as “not sort of an antiquated system,” but one that’s completely behind the times (this mirrors a recent assessment shared on The Daily podcast, from the New York Times). While dozens of other countries have upgraded to more modern technology, the United States still relies on decades-old systems increasingly prone to glitches and slowdowns. Munoz pointed to recent incidents, like the radio outage at Denver International Airport, as evidence that the system’s weaknesses are no longer hypothetical.
However, travelers don’t need to worry about safety, even during communication blackouts, Munoz shared. “We have backup systems to backup systems,” he said, explaining that when something goes wrong, the system is designed to slow down or pause, rather than putting passengers at risk.
It’s long been known that there’s a persistent shortage of air traffic controllers in the US. Munoz called this a “long period of time” problem, not something that just cropped up during the recent post-COVID travel boom. That could be because becoming a controller isn’t easy, requiring years of training and experience. That means the system can’t simply hire its way out of the shortage, especially when the job is so demanding and turnover is high.
Photo: DimaBerlin/Shutterstock
The emphasis on safety means that when the system is stressed, delays and cancellations are inevitable. Airlines sometimes reduce the number of flights at busy airports, like United has done at Newark, to keep things running more smoothly. While that’s the right move if it’s a choice between safety or sticking to the schedules, it also means some passengers are left scrambling for alternatives when traveling.
Munoz was clear about who feels the impact most. “This is an impact to the public, the flying public,” he said. While airlines absorb some costs and handle rebooking, it’s travelers who deal with missed connections, added expenses, lost vacation days, and sometimes higher fares when they have to rebook at the last minute.
Fixing the system isn’t just a matter of flipping a switch or writing a check. Munoz explained that true modernization will take a “heck of a lot of budget committed for a long period of time.” The challenge is made tougher by the way federal funding works, with money allocated on an annual basis, making it difficult to count on any long-term investments or planning.
He also pointed out that this isn’t a new issue. Previous administrations, including President Trump’s, have tried to tackle it, but the problems have persisted. Munoz’s message was blunt: “You need time probably more than one… administration. You need a heck of a lot of budget committed for a long period of time. You know, federal appropriations don’t really work that way.”
Munoz says stepping up recruitment of air traffic controllers should be a top priority in the US. Photo: Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock
Munoz outlined several steps that will be essential if the US wants to fix its air traffic control woes. That includes finding a source of long-term, stable funding that isn’t subject to the whims of yearly budget battles, and more aggressive recruitment and training to build up the controller workforce. He also thinks the US needs to invest in new technology and have better collaboration between government and the private sector — though as the former CEO of United, he may have a biased view when it comes to government regulation of airlines.
Until these changes are made, he outlined, travelers should brace for more of the same: delays, cancellations, and uncertainty. The system is safe, he said, but it’s not as reliable or efficient as it needs to be.
“This is an issue that has been decades in the making. Both the shortage of air traffic controllers, as well as the need to modernize the air traffic control system for this country…it’s complex. It’s going to take time, talent, and budget,” he said.
For now, Munoz’s advice is straightforward: expect turbulence, not just in the air, but in the reliability of traveling in the US this summer. 