FAA faces heat for letting Republic and SkyWest dispatchers work remote

Some US lawmakers are scrutinising the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision to let two regional airlines continue a Covid-19-era practice of allowing dispatchers to work remotely. Peter DeFazio, chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, addressed the issue in a 29 November letter to FAA acting administrator Billy Nolen. The FAA previously addressed the same issue after labour group Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) complained this year. FAA regulations do not prohibit dispatchers from working outside airline operations centres. “We are writing to express our deep concern regarding the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision to allow SkyWest Airlines and Republic Airways, under emergency authority, to continue use of alternate aircraft dispatch centres, allowing dispatchers to work remotely, despite the potential safety risks,” the letter says. The FAA in 2020 permitted SkyWest and Republic – the USA’s to largest regional airlines – to allow 20% of their dispatchers to “work from remote locations” due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the letter says. The FAA expanded the cap to 60% of dispatchers in subsequent extensions, the last of which runs through March 2023. “Dispatchers have a joint responsibility, along with the flight crew, for the safety and operational control of flights under their guidance,” says DeFazio’s letter, which aviation subcommittee chair Rick Larsen also signed. “It is not a job that can be easily performed from home.” Citing “dispatchers from Republic”, the letter also says “alarming safety incidents have been reported – related to dispatchers working from remote locations”. Story has details.<br/>