Trump starts FAA shots a few weeks after a fatal plane crash

By Tara Copp, Associated Press

Washington (AP) – The Trump administration began to fire several hundred employees of the Federal Aviation Administration, upsetting the staff of a plane travel weekend and barely a few weeks after a deadly open -air collision At Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Probation workers were targeted in emails at the end of the evening on Friday, informing that they had been dismissed, said David Spero, president of the professional air security union, in a statement.

The affected workers include staff hired for FAA radar, landing and maintenance of navigation aid, an air traffic controller at the Associated Press. The air traffic controller was not allowed to speak to the media and spoke under the cover of anonymity.

Spero said the messages had started to arrive after 7 p.m. Friday and continued late at night. He could be informed more during the long weekend or to enter FAA buildings on Tuesday, he said.

The employees were dismissed “without reason or on the basis of performance or driving,” said Spero, and the emails came from an email address “Exec Order” Microsoft “-not an E- address government email.

The shots hit the FAA when it faces a deficit in the controllers. Federal officials have raised concerns about an over-refreshing air traffic control system for years, in particular after a series of close calls between the planes of American airports. Among the reasons they have cited for staff shortages, there are non -competitive wages, long changes, intensive training and compulsory pensions.

During the fatal accident of January 29 between a Black Hawk helicopter of the American army and a jet of passenger from American Airlines, which is still in investigation, a controller restoring the circulation of airlines and commercial helicopters at the Very busy airport.

The Government Ministry of Elon Musk, which led the administration effort to reduce the federal government, did not immediately respond to a request for comments. The news of the layoffs was reported for the first time by CNN.

Originally published: February 17, 2025 at 5 h 35 PST