Flight delays can feel random but Austin’s tarmac backups are just the tip of a countrywide air traffic system under strain.

The overview

The air traffic control tower at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is one of the most understaffed in the country, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett said, yet the problem isn’t unique to Austin, or even Texas. A history of disrupted training pipelines, high academy turnover and challenging qualifying standards have resulted in understaffed towers across the nation.

As the Austin airport sees a multi-billion expansion, officials worry tower staffing may not keep pace with growth—posing risks to safety and the region’s economy.

Local near-miss incidents coupled with rising employee stress hint at an agency struggling to keep pace with demand, further reve

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