Kerry Lynch stepped into the role of editor of the&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;monthly magazine in May 2022 after serving with&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;for eight years. She joined&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;in December 2014 as a senior editor covering Washington and business aviation news. She has also served on Convention News teams, including as editor of&nbsp;HAI Convention News. Lynch previously spent 25 years with Aviation Week. During her time there, she reported for and later steered&nbsp;The Weekly of Business Aviation, oversaw business aviation content on the&nbsp;Aviation Week Intelligence Network, served on the&nbsp;Show News&nbsp;staff, and held roles as the Washington columnist for&nbsp;Business &amp; Commercial Aviation&nbsp;and&nbsp;Overhaul &amp; Maintenance&nbsp;monthly magazines. In 2021 she was honored with the National Business Aviation Association Platinum Wing Award for lifetime achievement in journalism and was the 2004 recipient of the National Air Transportation Association’s Aviation Journalism Excellence Award. She also has been a recipient of an Aerospace Media Award for business aviation (2022) and NBAA Gold Wing Award (2003, 2024). Lynch graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor of arts in journalism.

Editor, AIN monthly magazine

Kerry Lynch

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is emphasizing the urgency of addressing an ATC staffing shortage issue in the U.S. Noting the controller workforce has shrunk by 10 percent over the last decade, NATCA agreed with airline executive concerns reported after last week’s Global Aerospace Summit in Washington, D.C., that travel disruptions could continue for at least five more years as a result.
“The effect that air traffic controller staffing shortages has had on air travel this summer is well known, and although there has been an increased focus on training, the hiring and training process to overcome the staffing shortage will take years,” NATCA warned, noting that currently, many controllers work mandatory overtime, including 10-hour shifts six days a week.
“Air traffic controllers are doing an exemplary job in a very difficult situation, but this is not sustainable,” the association said.
NATCA pointed to a Transportation Inspector General report saying the FAA has made limited efforts to ensure adequate controller staffing at ATC facilities. “It is our union’s hope that when Michael Whitaker—a former airline executive himself—is confirmed as the next FAA Administrator, he will share his former colleagues’ views on the urgency of the staffing crisis,” said NATCA president Rich Santa. “We need a long-term commitment to maximum hiring and training that is based on the controller staffing targets recently updated by the Collaborative Resource Workgroup [CRWG].”
Comprising FAir Traffic Organization and NATCA officials, the CRWG earlier this year issued findings and recommendations on staffing levels based on a comprehensive survey of facility needs. Researcher Mitre validated the results.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is emphasizing the urgency of addressing a staffing shortage issue. Noting the controller workforce has shrunk by 10 percent over the last decade, NATCA agreed with airline executive concerns reported after last week’s Global Aerospace Summit in Washington, D.C. that travel disruptions could continue for at least five more years as a result.
“The effect that air traffic controller staffing shortages has had on air travel this summer is well known, and although there has been an increased focus on training, the hiring and training process to overcome the staffing shortage will take years,” NATCA warned, noting that currently, many controllers work mandatory overtime, including 10-hour shifts six days a week.
“Air traffic controllers are doing an exemplary job in a very difficult situation, but this is not sustainable,” the association said.
NATCA pointed to a Transportation Inspector General report saying the FAA has made limited efforts to ensure adequate controller staffing at ATC facilities. “It is our union’s hope that when Michael Whitaker—a former airline executive himself—is confirmed as the next FAA Administrator, he will share his former colleagues’ views on the urgency of the staffing crisis,” said NATCA president Rich Santa. “We need a long-term commitment to maximum hiring and training that is based on the controller staffing targets recently updated by the Collaborative Resource Workgroup [CRWG].”
Comprising FAir Traffic Organization and NATCA officials, the CRWG earlier this year issued findings and recommendations on staffing levels based on a comprehensive survey of facility needs. Researcher Mitre validated the results.

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

NATCA: Controller Shortages Will Cause More Disruptions

Controller staffing is down 10 percent over past decade

Controller staffing is down 10 percent over past decade, NATCA said, warning this will continue to cause disruptions if not addressed.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Annual flight volumes in the ECAC states will pass 11 million in 2025

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News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Airservices Australia wants to work through plans to launch remotely piloted operations

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Stuart “Kipp” Lau

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Climb and descend via clearances still tripping up pilots

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Three-quarters of FAA's ATC systems are either unsustainable or potentially unsustainable

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News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

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