IND bucks air traffic controller shortage trend
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Indianapolis International Airport has one of the lowest vacancy rates in the country for air traffic controllers, per recent Federal Aviation Administration data.
Why it matters: January's midair collision between a passenger jet and a U.S. Army helicopter, and a Delta plane flipping upside down in February, are bringing fresh attention to the staffing shortages, which are a longstanding problem.
The big picture: The chances of dying from commercial air travel are 1 in 13.7 million, according to MIT researchers, which makes flying one of the safest ways to travel.
- But a lot of people are unnerved by the headlines.
Between the lines: "Is it safe to fly" searches surged in February, according to Google Trends data.
- The only time more Americans were searching that question was during the pandemic.
- Yes, but: 2025 is on pace for fewer fatal aviation accidents compared to the last several years.
State of play: Since air traffic controllers are critical in preventing collisions, the fact that there's a nationwide staffing shortage potentially leading to overworked controllers may not be helping flying fears.
- Facilities across the nation overseeing flights were nearly 2,000 short of a staffing goal of 8,966 controllers as of September 2023, per the most recent FAA data.
Zoom in: The average vacancy rate for controller positions in the U.S. is about 24%, according to goals set by the FAA and the controllers' union.
- IND has a vacancy rate of just 4.4%, the lowest of all Indiana facilities included in the FAA report and the 31st lowest in the U.S.
- IND needs two more controllers to reach its goal of 45.
Yes, but: The other Indiana airports in the analysis have some of the nation's highest vacancy rates.
- Rates are 51.7% in Terre Haute (HUF), 47.8% in Evansville (EVV), 40% in South Bend (SBN) and 37.9% in Fort Wayne (FWA).
Stunning stat: Of 313 total FAA facilities included in the report, only 23 met or exceeded their staffing goals.
How it works: The staffing numbers come from the FAA's 2024-2033 air traffic controller workforce plan, and include both fully certified controllers and recently transferred controllers who are certified but learning the ins and outs of a new facility.
- Controllers in training who have not yet been fully certified are not included.
Reality check: The FAA has ramped up recruitment efforts, but the path to becoming a fully certified controller is long and arduous.
- Many trainees wash out, those who make it through initial training don't fully control where they end up stationed, and controllers must pass regular medical checks for their entire careers.
- Controllers generally must retire at age 56, causing constant attrition.
- Hiring may be further dampened because of the uncertainty of entering the federal workforce as the Trump administration appears eager to cut as many government workers as it can.