Airlines say US must ensure air traffic control can meet demand

The US airline industry told Congress the FAA must take steps to ensure the nation's airspace can handle rising air travel demand, according to a letter obtained by Reuters on Tuesday. Trade group Airlines for America (A4A) said in a previously unreported letter dated Friday that "airlines are aggressively pursuing several options to align schedules with workforce availability" but added "the FAA must also work to ensure that the air traffic control system is capable of meeting demand." Last month, Democratic Senators Richard Blumenthal and Edward Markey asked A4A for answers after more than 2,700 Memorial Day weekend flights were canceled. The senators said "while some flight cancellations are unavoidable, the sheer number of delays and cancellations this past weekend raises questions about airline decision-making."Travelers are bracing for a difficult summer as airlines expect record demand and are still rebuilding staff after thousands of workers left the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. The FAA declined to comment on the letter, referring to a May statement, when it said it would boost authorized air traffic control staff at its Jacksonville, Florida, center after bad weather and space launches have snarled flights.<br/>