The number of aviation meteorologists working alongside U.S. air traffic controllers has dropped to critical lows, putting the safety of nearly 45,000 daily flights at greater risk.

A new report from the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office confirms what aviation insiders have warned for months: fewer than half of the nation’s air traffic control centers are fully staffed with weather experts.

Some of the busiest hubs—Boston, Washington, Oakland—are operating with only one or two aviation meteorologists when four are recommended.

Why the shortage?

Since the start of President Trump’s second term, nearly 600 National Weather Service employees have been laid off or pushed into early retirement, and the administration is now pushing to cancel the union contracts that protect federal weather workers, including those at NASA.

Even worse, the FAA plans to cut more meteorology positions next year, citing “technological efficiencies”—despite clear warnings from safety watchdogs, pilots, and the meteorologists themselves.

We are calling on Congress and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to immediately restore staffing for all FAA aviation meteorology positions.

• Reverse the layoffs and rehire qualified experts pushed out under federal workforce cuts
• Protect the union agreements that safeguard meteorologists’ rights and expertise
• Renew the staffing agreement between the FAA and the National Weather Service before it expires next month.

These specialists help keep planes away from severe weather, prevent tragedies, and protect millions of travelers every day. We can’t afford to lose them—again.