Key Takeaways
• Arriving flights at Austin-Bergstrom delayed an average of 47 minutes since May 11, 2025, due to staffing shortages.
• FAA’s Traffic Management Program limits arrivals when not enough air traffic controllers are available in Austin’s control tower.
• Six near-misses on Austin’s runways in 2.5 years raise safety concerns; FAA hired 1,800 new controllers in 2024.
Inbound Flights to Austin Delayed Due to Staffing Issues, FAA Reports
Flights arriving at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport are being delayed because the air traffic control tower does not have enough workers. The Federal Aviation Administration, often called the FAA, confirmed that shortages in the control tower have led to these delays. Since Sunday, May 11, 2025, flights coming into Austin have been held up with an average delay of 47 minutes. Some people on planes have waited as long as 1 hour and 28 minutes before being allowed to land, though the FAA says that no aircraft should be delayed more than 3 hours and 59 minutes.
Let’s look at why this airport, which serves a fast-growing city, is facing these problems and how it matters to everyone who uses it.
Staffing Shortages Force Delays
According to the FAA, the main reason for the delays at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is that there are not enough qualified air traffic controllers in the airport’s control tower. To handle this, the FAA has put a special plan in place called a Traffic Management Program. This plan helps manage incoming flights when there are not enough workers to safely keep up with all the planes arriving.
The Traffic Management Program means that some flights have to wait a little longer before they can land. People on these flights might have to circle the airport in the air or wait at their departure airport until they have permission to fly into Austin. While some delays are only 15 minutes, others can last up to several hours. Passengers are encouraged to check with the airline before traveling to know exactly when their plane will land or take off.
Some delays have also affected flights leaving Austin, but the focus of the program is mostly on arriving traffic. Since the program began, arrival delays have changed throughout the day. Early on May 12, 2025, the FAA reported that flight arrivals were being held for 15 minutes or less, which is an improvement compared to earlier delays. But the FAA warns that longer waits are still possible, so it’s best for travelers to keep updated.
Not the First Time Staffing Has Caused Delays
This isn’t the first time travelers have seen delays at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport because of too few air traffic controllers. In fact, the airport has had similar problems several times over the past few months.
For example:
– In March 2025, there weren’t enough people working in the control tower. The FAA decided to stop all incoming flights from cities like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and New Orleans. This pause lasted nearly two hours so that the few staff on duty could safely monitor the planes already in the air or on the ground.
– Congressman Lloyd Doggett highlighted that the Austin control tower works far below the number of staff recommended by the FAA. The goal is to have 60 fully trained controllers in the tower, but last year there were only 33 certified controllers, along with six more who were still in training. This means the team at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport had less than two-thirds of the number of people they were supposed to have.
These shortages are part of a wider challenge. All across the United States 🇺🇸, airports are feeling the impacts of not having enough air traffic controllers. Austin is just one example of why the Federal Aviation Administration is working hard to recruit and train more staff. The delays are frustrating, but they highlight a deeper issue with hiring and keeping talented workers in these important jobs.
Safety Concerns for Travelers and Workers
The staffing shortages at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport also bring up safety questions. Air traffic controllers are responsible for directing airplanes during takeoffs, landings, and while they are in the airspace near the airport. If there aren’t enough workers, the few who are available often have to work longer hours, sometimes even double shifts or stay up all night watching over air traffic.
There are clear signs that this situation can cause problems:
– Over the last two and a half years, there have been six “near-misses” at the runways in Austin. A near-miss is when planes get too close to each other, or there’s a risk of an accident because communication between pilots and control tower staff gets mixed up.
– Austin Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes has said she’s worried about air traffic controllers working under these tough conditions. She pointed out that tired workers may not be able to pay close attention, which could put passengers, pilots, and airport staff at risk.
The FAA understands how important safety is. In February, the agency let go of 400 probationary workers, including one from the Austin area. However, none of the workers who lost their jobs were air traffic controllers or people in critical safety jobs. The FAA says it’s committed to making sure only qualified people are in these important roles.
What Is the FAA Doing to Fix Staffing Problems?
The Federal Aviation Administration knows that not having enough air traffic controllers is a big problem. The agency has started several actions to solve it, both in Austin and in other cities:
- In 2024, the FAA hired over 1,800 new air traffic controllers around the United States 🇺🇸. This hiring number is the highest the agency has seen in almost ten years.
- The starting salary for new air traffic controllers was raised by 30%. The hope is that better pay will help attract people to these difficult but rewarding jobs.
- More than 8,000 people have been quickly moved through the first stage of the FAA’s Air Traffic Controller Aptitude Test. This means more people are being tested and interviewed faster, so more new hires can start working. Already, 190 applicants have moved forward in the hiring process.
Efforts like these are designed to help fill open positions sooner, especially at places like Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which handles more travelers every year. The FAA’s official Air Traffic Controller Recruitment website provides detailed information for anyone interested in becoming an air traffic controller, which may help address the shortages in the long run.
Impacts for Travelers and the Community
When there aren’t enough qualified workers in the control tower, everyone suffers — passengers, airlines, and the local community. For travelers, delays can mean missed connections, longer waits on the tarmac, or changed travel schedules. For the airport, delays can hurt its reputation and make it harder to attract new flights from other cities.
Austin is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States 🇺🇸. With more people visiting and moving to the city, the need for a fully staffed and well-run airport is more important than ever. Events like music festivals, conferences, and major sports games mean the airport is often busy. Every delay can affect thousands of people and many local businesses.
There is also a financial cost to delays. Airlines may need to spend more money on fuel when planes have to circle before landing. Passengers might miss meetings or special events. Taxi and rideshare drivers may waste time waiting for delayed arrivals. For international travelers with connecting flights, even small delays can lead to bigger travel problems, such as missing flights home or needing to rebook trips.
An Ongoing Challenge
According to VisaVerge.com, the ongoing delays show how important it is for airports to have enough skilled workers. As the FAA works to fix these issues by hiring more people and offering better pay, there is still a risk that travel plans will be affected until more staff are trained and on the job. The Traffic Management Program at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport will likely stay in place until staffing numbers are stable.
Passengers planning to travel to or from Austin should check in with their airlines and pay attention to any updates from the airport or the FAA. Flight delay information changes quickly, so it’s always smart to get the latest news before departing.
A National Issue with Local Effects
The problems at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport aren’t just local. Airports in other U.S. cities also need more air traffic controllers. The FAA is facing a big job of recruiting, hiring, and training new workers to keep up with rising demand. The measures taken in Austin, like the Traffic Management Program, are now being used in other airports facing similar shortages.
Still, Austin is an important case because of repeated staffing challenges, the city’s rapid growth, and recent safety concerns. The delays and near-misses highlight how crucial trained air traffic controllers are for keeping airport operations safe and reliable.
What You Can Do
If you’re flying soon or know someone who is:
– Stay in regular contact with your airline. They’ll give the fastest updates about delays or changes in flight schedules.
– Check official sources like the FAA’s Airport Status Information for updates about Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s arrival and departure conditions.
– Allow extra time for your travels. Prepare for the possibility of delays, especially if you have tight connections or important events planned after landing.
– If you want to know more about careers in air traffic control, or if you’re considering applying, check out the official FAA careers page for information on how you can help make travel safer for everyone.
Looking Ahead
Fixing the staffing shortages at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport will not happen overnight. Hiring and training new air traffic controllers is a long process. It takes time for new staff to become fully certified and ready to work without supervision. In the meantime, the FAA will continue using the Traffic Management Program to handle arrival and departure schedules as safely as possible.
Travelers should be prepared for possible delays for a while, especially during busy travel periods. As Austin continues to grow, having a safe, efficient airport is key for the city’s future.
Summary of Key Points
- Flights arriving at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport are delayed because there aren’t enough air traffic controllers.
- The FAA has put a Traffic Management Program in place to handle these delays, which mainly affect incoming flights, though departures are sometimes also impacted.
- Staffing shortages at the Austin control tower are not new. The airport has repeatedly had fewer workers than needed, sometimes leading to holding incoming flights from nearby cities.
- There have been several near-misses on Austin’s runways, raising safety concerns for local leaders and the flying public.
- The FAA is trying to solve these problems by hiring more workers, raising pay, and speeding up the hiring process.
- Until more controllers are fully trained and on the job, delays are likely to remain an issue for Austin travelers.
For the most up-to-date information about arrivals, departures, and ongoing delays, you can visit the FAA’s official page for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. For more details about air traffic controller careers or recruitment, the FAA’s careers site is a helpful resource.
As everyone looks forward to smoother skies ahead, staying informed and prepared is the best way for travelers to manage the current delays at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Learn Today
Traffic Management Program → A special FAA operation that regulates flights to an airport, designed to manage air traffic during staff shortages or disruptions.
Air Traffic Controller → A professionally trained person responsible for safely directing aircraft on the ground and in the air near airports.
Near-miss → An incident where planes come dangerously close to each other or to accidents due to communication or safety errors.
FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) → The U.S. government agency in charge of regulating and overseeing all aspects of civil aviation nationwide.
Certified Controller → An air traffic controller who has completed all training and requirements, legally authorized to manage flights independently.
This Article in a Nutshell
Staffing shortages at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport have caused significant flight delays since May 11, 2025. The FAA implemented a Traffic Management Program to manage incoming flights. While hiring and pay efforts are underway nationally, travelers should monitor updates closely, as delays and safety concerns are likely to persist for now.
— By VisaVerge.com
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