Airline executives raised an alarm on Wednesday that the nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers will likely continue disrupting flights for years to come. Air Traffic controllers are a critical component of aviation safety and without enough controllers, planes have to fly at lower altitudes and further apart, adding to passenger frustration and increased delays. Congress mandated an increased number of controllers, but the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) struggles to meet the goal due to budget constraints and difficulty in recruiting. The FAA also said the shutdown earlier this year delayed hiring and training, further hampering efforts to address the shortfall. The airlines said the issue has substantially lengthened flight delays and it has no quick solution.
