Latest news with #Harteveldt
The Herald Scotland
24-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Iran conflict: What US travelers outside the country should know
But those developments don't necessarily mean they need to rush home. "For now, with the exception of countries in the Middle East and Gulf region, it's safe for Americans to travel abroad," Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst and president of Atmosphere Research Group, told USA TODAY in an email. Here's what travelers abroad should know. Is it safe for US travelers to go abroad? The State Department issued a Worldwide Caution alert on June 22, advising U.S. citizens across the globe to "exercise increased caution." "The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East," the alert said. "There is the potential for demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests abroad." Harteveldt said it's "probably wise for now to avoid going to any Middle East and Gulf country that has a major U.S. military base." Travelers should also be extra cautious in other countries that Iran might perceive as being supportive of Israel or the U.S. "Currently, countries in the Middle East, such as Israel and Jordan, as well as the UAE and Qatar, appear to be the riskiest places for Americans to visit," he added. Should US travelers come home after the bombing in Iran? Not necessarily, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared. According to Harteveldt, the circumstances are "highly fluid." "The situation is dynamic, and the countries that are considered risky could change," he said. The State Department is offering assisted departure flights from Israel. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can find crisis intake forms on its website, along with additional information about departures by land through Jordan and Egypt. "Iran airspace remains closed due to hostilities with Israel," the State Department said. "U.S. citizens seeking to depart Iran should depart by land to Azerbaijan, Armenia, or Turkiye if they deem conditions are safe/if they can do so safely." Qatar also closed its airspace on Monday, and airlines are rerouting or canceling flights to the Middle East. How can US travelers stay safe abroad? The State Department's Worldwide Caution note urged travelers to read up on their planned destinations - including any advisories and security alerts - on its website. There is a Level 4 "Do not travel" advisory in place for Iran, while other Middle East countries like the United Arab Emirates and Qatar are currently at Level 2 ("Exercise increased caution") and Level 1 ("Exercise normal precautions"), respectively. In addition to regularly checking those notices for updates, Harteveldt recommended keeping up with the news from credible sources and downloading their mobile apps. "Follow all official advisories and be prepared to respond to news alerts and other advisories," he said. "Stay in touch with family, friends, and colleagues in the U.S.," he said. Travelers should also have "at least one reliable contact" who knows where they are and can act on their behalf as needed. More: Middle East flights: Disruptions grow after US airstrikes and Iranian missile threats The CIA released these tips - or travel tradecraft, in spy parlance - for travel safety. Objective one: Getting there CIA tip: Make a paper and digital copy of your passport. While traveling abroad, it might literally be your ticket home if problems arise. If a hotel desk clerk asks to hold on to your passport, see if they'll accept the paper copy. While you're at it, write down some important phone numbers on the hard copy, including emergency contacts and the local U.S. embassy, just in case. Make a paper and digital copy of your passport. While traveling abroad, it might literally be your ticket home if problems arise. If a hotel desk clerk asks to hold on to your passport, see if they'll accept the paper copy. While you're at it, write down some important phone numbers on the hard copy, including emergency contacts and the local U.S. embassy, just in case. CIA tip: Register with your embassy. Think of it as establishing communications with your home base. This enables embassy staff to contact you if there's an emergency or an unfolding crisis. U.S. citizens can also sign up with the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Register with your embassy. Think of it as establishing communications with your home base. This enables embassy staff to contact you if there's an emergency or an unfolding crisis. U.S. citizens can also sign up with the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). CIA tip: Learn some local lingo. Bring a pocket guidebook or phone app so you can pick up key words and phrases. Learn some local lingo. Bring a pocket guidebook or phone app so you can pick up key words and phrases. CIA tip: Know your destination. Bone up not just on travel books but also try to get a sense of the place and the geopolitical issues at play there. The CIA World Factbook is very helpful and publicly available for basic information. The CIA's World Factbook team also has created special travel briefings for many countries. Know your destination. Bone up not just on travel books but also try to get a sense of the place and the geopolitical issues at play there. The CIA World Factbook is very helpful and publicly available for basic information. The CIA's World Factbook team also has created special travel briefings for many countries. CIA tip: Scout out local transportation. Upon arrival, ask an airport official or a traveler's aide how much it should cost to catch a public shuttle or taxi to your hotel. Check online sites, too. Be sure to negotiate the taxi price before loading your baggage and getting inside. Only use cabs from the official queue - or ride-shares ride-hailing services from official apps - that are clearly marked and have a functioning meter and the driver's ID displayed inside. Objective two: Settling in CIA tip: Know your escape route from your hotel room too. Familiarize yourself with emergency evacuation plans. And do a run-through to determine how many doors there are between your room and the nearest stairwell. Could you find it in the dark? While holding your breath in a smoky haze? Know your escape route from your hotel room too. Familiarize yourself with emergency evacuation plans. And do a run-through to determine how many doors there are between your room and the nearest stairwell. Could you find it in the dark? While holding your breath in a smoky haze? CIA tip: Use the elevator, unless it's an emergency. Using the stairs may be great for exercise, but crimes frequently occur in isolated stairwells. Use the elevator, unless it's an emergency. Using the stairs may be great for exercise, but crimes frequently occur in isolated stairwells. CIA tip: Try to reserve a room on a middle floor. Being on the ground floor can leave you vulnerable to break-ins, but many countries' emergency response personnel aren't equipped to reach higher than a few floors off the ground. Try to reserve a room on a middle floor. Being on the ground floor can leave you vulnerable to break-ins, but many countries' emergency response personnel aren't equipped to reach higher than a few floors off the ground. CIA tip: Lock it up. Automatic locks on hotel room doors can often be forced open, and the chains cut. Use the deadbolt if there is one. Better yet, invest in a cheap and easily portable rubber door stop; they work amazingly well. Lock it up. Automatic locks on hotel room doors can often be forced open, and the chains cut. Use the deadbolt if there is one. Better yet, invest in a cheap and easily portable rubber door stop; they work amazingly well. CIA tip: Beware of unsolicited knocks. Don't open your hotel door unless you know or can verify who's on the other side. Be especially wary of unrequested special delivery, maintenance calls, turndown service, or room service. Don't be shy about calling the front desk to confirm. Objective three: Going out and about CIA tip: Lock it down. Whether renting a car or taking a taxi, lock the doors and keep the windows rolled up if you sense any danger - or crowds. Carjackers and snatch-and-grab thieves often prey on simple mistakes like an open door or window. Lock it down. Whether renting a car or taking a taxi, lock the doors and keep the windows rolled up if you sense any danger - or crowds. Carjackers and snatch-and-grab thieves often prey on simple mistakes like an open door or window. CIA tip: Stay alert. CIA officers (the real term for overseas spies, not agents) are trained to be highly attuned to their surroundings, to constantly maintain situational awareness. Use all five senses to pay attention to what's happening around you, and you'll not only spot telltale signs if something is amiss but retain more of your destination's unique atmosphere. Stay alert. CIA officers (the real term for overseas spies, not agents) are trained to be highly attuned to their surroundings, to constantly maintain situational awareness. Use all five senses to pay attention to what's happening around you, and you'll not only spot telltale signs if something is amiss but retain more of your destination's unique atmosphere. CIA tip: Be mindful when drinking adult beverages. Spies might swill martinis in the movies, but alcohol impairs alertness and judgment and could put you at risk, especially in an unfamiliar country. Learn the local customs and restrictions on alcohol consumption and follow them closely. Be mindful when drinking adult beverages. Spies might swill martinis in the movies, but alcohol impairs alertness and judgment and could put you at risk, especially in an unfamiliar country. Learn the local customs and restrictions on alcohol consumption and follow them closely. CIA tip: Walk the walk. Your confident demeanor on the street is often the best deterrent against criminals. Be the gray man or woman and you won't look like an easy target. Don't attract attention by looking confused, lost, or distracted. Avoid poring over maps and phone apps in busy areas. And don't be flashy. Flaunting extravagant watches and other personal items or cash will attract thieves and opportunists. Walk the walk. Your confident demeanor on the street is often the best deterrent against criminals. Be the gray man or woman and you won't look like an easy target. Don't attract attention by looking confused, lost, or distracted. Avoid poring over maps and phone apps in busy areas. And don't be flashy. Flaunting extravagant watches and other personal items or cash will attract thieves and opportunists. CIA tip: Plan your route and reroute as necessary. Whether traveling by foot, car, or public or private transit, prepare in advance. Bone up on the potentially dangerous parts of town so you can avoid them. Don't walk alone at night, stick to well-lit areas that aren't too isolated if you can and know the number of the local authorities just in case. Avoid crowd commotion, as it could mean escalating danger or even a distraction designed to help someone target you. Does travel insurance cover the conflict with Iran? "Unfortunately, there may be no coverage for travelers within Iran due to economic sanctions," said Meghan Walch, Director of Product at InsureMyTrip. "Also, the conflict in general is most (likely not) covered if you decide to cancel or interrupt your trip." That said, travelers in surrounding countries who experience disruptions - such as a flight delay meeting the policy's required number of hours - may get reimbursed for additional costs incurred. Those policyholders can also call 24-hour emergency assistance services, which can help them find medical care or direct them to a nearby embassy. The phone numbers can be found in their policy, according to Walch. If you didn't purchase travel insurance prior to your trip and are already traveling in a destination that the conflict could impact, Walch said it's too late to buy comprehensive coverage. Those who have not left and are concerned they may want to cancel if the situation escalates should consider Cancel For Any Reason benefits. "This is a time-sensitive benefit and there are qualification requirements, but it allows you to cancel a trip, at least 48 hours before departure, and receive up to 50%-75% reimbursement of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs," said Walch. Regardless, Harteveldt emphasized the need to stay informed and flexible. "Being nimble and agile will be critical," he said. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
USA Today
23-06-2025
- USA Today
Should US travelers abroad come home amid Iran conflict?
The U.S. bombed three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, prompting retaliation on Monday and increased security in cities across the U.S. American travelers who are currently abroad may now be wondering what the escalating tensions amid Israel's war with Iran mean for their travel plans – with some sharing their trepidation about being overseas or reluctance to return on social media. But those developments don't necessarily mean they need to rush home. 'For now, with the exception of countries in the Middle East and Gulf region, it's safe for Americans to travel abroad,' Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst and president of Atmosphere Research Group, told USA TODAY in an email. Here's what travelers abroad should know. Is it safe for US travelers to go abroad? The State Department issued a Worldwide Caution alert on June 22, advising U.S. citizens across the globe to 'exercise increased caution.' 'The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East,' the alert said. 'There is the potential for demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests abroad.' Harteveldt said it's 'probably wise for now to avoid going to any Middle East and Gulf country that has a major U.S. military base.' Travelers should also be extra cautious in other countries that Iran might perceive as being supportive of Israel or the U.S. 'Currently, countries in the Middle East, such as Israel and Jordan, as well as the UAE and Qatar, appear to be the riskiest places for Americans to visit,' he added. Should US travelers come home after the bombing in Iran? Not necessarily, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared. According to Harteveldt, the circumstances are "highly fluid." 'The situation is dynamic, and the countries that are considered risky could change,' he said. The State Department is offering assisted departure flights from Israel. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can find crisis intake forms on its website, along with additional information about departures by land through Jordan and Egypt. "Iran airspace remains closed due to hostilities with Israel," the State Department said. "U.S. citizens seeking to depart Iran should depart by land to Azerbaijan, Armenia, or Türkiye if they deem conditions are safe/if they can do so safely." Qatar also closed its airspace on Monday, and airlines are rerouting or canceling flights to the Middle East. How can US travelers stay safe abroad? The State Department's Worldwide Caution note urged travelers to read up on their planned destinations – including any advisories and security alerts – on its website. There is a Level 4 'Do not travel' advisory in place for Iran, while other Middle East countries like the United Arab Emirates and Qatar are currently at Level 2 ('Exercise increased caution') and Level 1 ('Exercise normal precautions'), respectively. In addition to regularly checking those notices for updates, Harteveldt recommended keeping up with the news from credible sources and downloading their mobile apps. 'Follow all official advisories and be prepared to respond to news alerts and other advisories,' he said. 'Stay in touch with family, friends, and colleagues in the U.S.,' he said. Travelers should also have 'at least one reliable contact' who knows where they are and can act on their behalf as needed. More: Middle East flights: Disruptions grow after US airstrikes and Iranian missile threats The CIA released these tips – or travel tradecraft, in spy parlance – for travel safety. Objective one: Getting there Objective two: Settling in Objective three: Going out and about Does travel insurance cover the conflict with Iran? 'Unfortunately, there may be no coverage for travelers within Iran due to economic sanctions,' said Meghan Walch, Director of Product at InsureMyTrip. 'Also, the conflict in general is most (likely not) covered if you decide to cancel or interrupt your trip.' That said, travelers in surrounding countries who experience disruptions – such as a flight delay meeting the policy's required number of hours – may get reimbursed for additional costs incurred. Those policyholders can also call 24-hour emergency assistance services, which can help them find medical care or direct them to a nearby embassy. The phone numbers can be found in their policy, according to Walch. If you didn't purchase travel insurance prior to your trip and are already traveling in a destination that the conflict could impact, Walch said it's too late to buy comprehensive coverage. Those who have not left and are concerned they may want to cancel if the situation escalates should consider Cancel For Any Reason benefits. 'This is a time-sensitive benefit and there are qualification requirements, but it allows you to cancel a trip, at least 48 hours before departure, and receive up to 50%-75% reimbursement of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs,' said Walch. Regardless, Harteveldt emphasized the need to stay informed and flexible. 'Being nimble and agile will be critical,' he said.
NBC News
09-06-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Why it's getting even harder to get into airport lounges now
Airplane tickets are getting cheaper, but it's getting more expensive to bring your family to an airport lounge. Capital One is the latest company to limit access to booming airport lounges to combat overcrowding. Starting Feb. 1, Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders will no longer be able to automatically take a guest into lounges or bring authorized second card users. They will instead have to pay $125 annually for each additional cardholder to keep their lounge access, $45 per adult guest per visit and $25 per guest 17 or younger. The $125 fee also includes second cardholder access to a network of Priority Pass lounges. 'As airport lounges continue to grow in popularity across the industry, we've seen our customers increasingly encounter wait times to enter them,' Capital One said in a statement. 'It is important to us that we maintain a great airport lounge experience for our Venture X and Venture X Business customers, while continuing to deliver best-in-class premium travel cards at an accessible price point.' Primary cardholders will have to spend at least $75,000 per calendar year to bring up to two complimentary free guests to Capital One lounges and one guest to Capital One Landings, smaller lounges built for travelers who tend to spend less time at the airport, like those heading to short flights. The $75,000 spending requirement for complimentary guests matches what American Express announced two years ago, also a measure to minimize crowding and keeping the clubs feeling exclusive. Credit card companies have ramped up their airport lounge networks in recent years, opening new locations to handle demand. And airport lounge access has been a central perk attached to rewards cards, which generally come with an annual fee. The Venture X card, which launched in 2021, is $395 a year, less than the $695 a year American Express charges for its Platinum card or the $550 JPMorgan Chase charges for the Chase Sapphire Reserve, both of which come with airport lounges. 'When it comes to lounges, Capital One is a challenger brand; they're an underdog,' said Henry Harteveldt, founder of Atmosphere Research Group. Capital One has lounges at Denver International Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. It plans to open one this year at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and one of its Landings at LaGuardia Airport. But the new restrictions show Capital One isn't immune to its popularity leading to big crowds. 'Like Amex, like Chase, these lounges have become victims of their own success,' Harteveldt said. 'No lounge operator wants them to be as overrun as the public areas of the airport.' Airlines have also raised prices to access airport lounges and built larger ones to accommodate the influx. Delta Air Lines, for example, has made sweeping changes to its lounge access policies, like getting rid of unlimited visits in favor of annual caps. And last summer, Delta unveiled its first Delta One lounge, dedicated for customers in its highest class of cabin. It plans to open a new one in Seattle later this month.
CNBC
07-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Why it's getting even harder to get into airport lounges now
Airplane tickets are getting cheaper, but it's getting more expensive to bring your family to an airport lounge. Capital One is the latest company to limit access to booming airport lounges to combat overcrowding. Starting Feb. 1, Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders will no longer be able to automatically take a guest into lounges or bring authorized second card users. They will instead have to pay $125 annually for each additional cardholder to keep their lounge access, $45 per adult guest per visit and $25 per guest 17 or younger. The $125 fee also includes second cardholder access to a network of Priority Pass lounges. "As airport lounges continue to grow in popularity across the industry, we've seen our customers increasingly encounter wait times to enter them," Capital One said in a statement. "It is important to us that we maintain a great airport lounge experience for our Venture X and Venture X Business customers, while continuing to deliver best-in-class premium travel cards at an accessible price point." Primary cardholders will have to spend at least $75,000 per calendar year to bring up to two complimentary free guests to Capital One lounges and one guest to Capital One Landings, smaller lounges built for travelers who tend to spend less time at the airport, like those heading to short flights. The $75,000 spending requirement for complimentary guests matches what American Express announced two years ago, also a measure to minimize crowding and keeping the clubs feeling exclusive. Credit card companies have ramped up their airport lounge networks in recent years, opening new locations to handle demand. And airport lounge access has been a central perk attached to rewards cards, which generally come with an annual fee. The Venture X card, which launched in 2021, is $395 a year, less than the $695 a year American Express charges for its Platinum card or the $550 JPMorgan Chase charges for the Chase Sapphire Reserve, both of which come with airport lounges. "When it comes to lounges, Capital One is a challenger brand; they're an underdog," said Henry Harteveldt, founder of Atmosphere Research Group. Capital One has lounges at Denver International Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. It plans to open one this year at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and one of its Landings at LaGuardia Airport. But the new restrictions show Capital One isn't immune to its popularity leading to big crowds. "Like Amex, like Chase, these lounges have become victims of their own success," Harteveldt said. "No lounge operator wants them to be as overrun as the public areas of the airport." Airlines have also raised prices to access airport lounges and built larger ones to accommodate the influx. Delta Air Lines, for example, has made sweeping changes to its lounge access policies, like getting rid of unlimited visits in favor of annual caps. And last summer, Delta unveiled its first Delta One lounge, dedicated for customers in its highest class of cabin. It plans to open a new one in Seattle later this month. American Airlines and United Airlines have also expanded their airport lounges and opened new top-tier ones for customers traveling in premium classes on long-haul flights.
Chicago Tribune
26-02-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
A Southwest plane and business jet nearly collided at Midway. It's not the first close call investigated at the airport.
Federal authorities are investigating two jets that appeared to narrowly avoid a collision at Midway Airport, as a string of recent aviation disasters has caused public confidence in air safety to start to waver. Around 8:50 a.m. Tuesday, a Southwest plane aborted a landing when a business jet entered the runway without authorization, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating the incident. Video circulating on social media shows a dramatic reversal of plans by the Southwest plane. The larger commercial plane appears to nearly touch down on the runway when the smaller jet begins to cross in front of it. The Southwest plane immediately pulls up and returns to the sky, while the smaller plane proceeds across the runway, the video shows. It was unclear Tuesday afternoon exactly how close the two planes got. But it was not the first time in recent years planes have come so close to colliding at Midway that the FAA took note. 'This reflects the extremely crowded skies that we have,' said travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt. Aborted landings, known in aviation as a 'go around,' remain relatively unusual, and pilots train extensively to handle those and other safety situations, Harteveldt said. Still, FAA records describe a string of other runway incidents at Midway in the past two years that brought commercial jets, small planes, helicopters and vehicles unusually close together at the Southwest Side's bustling, landlocked airport. In some cases, planes were forced to abort takeoffs or landings. In August, a helicopter was approved to fly over a Midway runway as a Boeing 737 was told to get in position to take off. The helicopter passed over the plane lower than authorized, coming within 200 feet, according to FAA documents. In July, a small, single-engine light plane began to enter a runway as a Boeing 737 was rolling to take off. The light plane had been told to stop short of the runway, and as it moved closer to the runway air traffic controllers broadcast for the plane to stop. The two planes came within 167 feet of each other, FAA records show. In April, air traffic controllers 'did not provide runway separation' between two Boeing 737s, the documents note. One of the planes was cleared to take off from the same runway where the other was cleared to land. The departing plane was already airborne when the landing plane crossed the runway threshold, the documents note, but the two jets came within 5,231 feet of each other. In another example, in December 2023, a helicopter was given clearance to cross over the airfield and land, as a Boeing 737 was inbound to the airport, the FAA records show. Air traffic controllers 'did not attempt to apply runway separation' between the two, and the plane approached the runway as the helicopter flew over. The two came within 1,587 feet. The Chicago Department of Aviation, which manages the city's two airports, referred questions to the FAA, which is responsible for air traffic control and investigating situations involving movement of aircraft. But the department works with federal agencies to 'enhance safety measures and implement infrastructure improvements that support safe and efficient operations at Midway,' officials said in a statement. The FAA has undertaken an audit of the risk of such runway incidents, known in the industry as runway incursions, at the 45 busiest airports in the U.S., including both Midway and Chicago's larger O'Hare International Airport. The audit is expected to be finished early this year, agency officials said in a statement. It will include a 'risk profile' for each airport, identify any gaps contributing to the risk and make safety recommendations. The work came out of a review of the nation's air system undertaken as near-collisions between planes gained attention, including high-profile cases at airports in San Diego and Austin, Texas, in 2023. More recently, a series of U.S. crashes has left some travelers rattled, including the January midair collision in Washington, D.C., between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army helicopter that killed everyone aboard both aircraft. It was the deadliest plane crash in the U.S. since Nov. 12, 2001, and the first deadly crash of any kind involving a U.S. airliner since February 2009. Days later, on Jan. 31, a medical transportation plane crashed in Philadelphia not long after taking off from a small airport, killing six people aboard and one person on the ground. In early February, a single-engine turboprop commuter flight crashed on Alaska sea ice, killing 10 aboard. Later in February, a Delta plane arriving at Toronto's Pearson Airport from Minneapolis flipped and landed on its roof. All those injured were later released from the hospital. Air traffic controllers at airport towers have sophisticated software to manage landings and runway crossings, making situations like the near-collision Tuesday at Midway unusual, Harteveldt said. When they do happen, pilots have been trained extensively to know how to handle them. 'They spend time and they train so that when incidents like this occur, they have checklists to follow, they know exactly what to do, and they follow the instructions,' he said. Harteveldt also cautioned in some situations, what appears to be alarming to a layperson might not be a problem because the control tower or the pilots of two aircraft might be aware of each other. When it comes to aborted landings, the reasons a pilot might 'go around' could be many, he said. A pilot might see what looks like debris on a runway, or an earlier flight could be departing slower than expected. Another plane could be crossing a runway or be located too close. That can happen if there is a delay in action on the part of a pilot by even a few seconds, which could put a plane in the wrong place on the runway at the wrong time, he said. 'Seconds literally do matter at crowded airports like Midway,' he said. In the close call Tuesday, the FAA noted the business jet entered the runway without authorization. Still, while plane crashes remain rare, an AP-NORC poll found public confidence in air travel had begun to slip, though a majority of the public continued to think air travel is safe. The poll, taken in early February before the Toronto plane crash, found 64% of U.S. adults said plane travel was 'very safe' or 'somewhat safe,' down slightly from 71% who said that the year before. The poll also found about 2 in 10 adults said air transportation is very or somewhat unsafe, up from 12% in a poll taken in 2024. The poll last year took place shortly after a panel blew off an Alaska Airlines jet in another incident that raised questions about air travel safety. Air safety drew further scrutiny in recent days as the Trump administration's staff cuts reached the FAA. President Donald Trump's administration has said no one with a 'critical safety' position at the agency was fired, but some FAA jobs that were eliminated had direct roles supporting safety inspectors and airport operations, according to their union and former employees. The cuts have drawn scrutiny from the Illinois congressional delegation, including Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who sent a letter last week to acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau demanding further information about the positions cut and the rationale for the cuts. Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Jesús 'Chuy' Garcia said on X he would be pressing for a full investigation of the near collision at Midway and noted 'this is why cuts to the FAA are dangerous.' Though administration officials have said no air traffic controllers have been cut, a shortage of controllers has plagued the nation's air system for years, and Chicago has not been immune. As of September 2023, the most recent published data available, air traffic control facilities at the city's two airports and two other regional centers failed to meet a working group's staffing targets, though the shortages were not as acute as those in some other major cities such as New York. At that time, the air traffic control tower at O'Hare had 57 fully certified controllers, out of a working group target of 73. Midway had 19 of a recommended 22. The FAA also set its own targets that differ from the working group's, and by those standards the towers at O'Hare and Midway exceeded FAA staffing targets. But the published data is old, and losing even one air traffic controller in an airport tower can affect operations, especially if it's during a peak time of day, Harteveldt, the industry analyst, said. Tuesday at Midway, the Southwest flight ultimately landed safely, airline executives noted in a statement. 'The crew followed safety procedures, and the flight landed without incident,' they said.
