Reps. Suozzi and D’Esposito Lead Letter to FAA Demanding Rescission of Plan to Reassign Air Traffic Controllers From New York to Philadelphia

Washington, DC - Representatives Tom Suozzi (NY-03) and Anthony Esposito (NY-04), joined by Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, and Representatives Garbarino, LaLota, and Menendez, have sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) demanding that the FAA’s new attempt to reassign seventeen air traffic controllers from New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON/N90) to Philadelphia Tower/TRACON, must be rescinded immediately. 

“This is not the first time the FAA has attempted to forcibly reassign air traffic controllers from N90 in its long-running mission to shift control of the Newark airspace to Philadelphia,” said Rep. Tom Suozzi. “The agency abandoned their plan to force air traffic controllers to relocate last year,  reassuring New York air traffic controllers that they would not require them to relocate. These air traffic controllers accepted their positions at N90 believing that they would be able to create stable long-term homes for themselves and their families here in New York. This is patently unfair and creates undue hardship for hardworking families."

“Fighting for more good-paying, union jobs on Long Island has been a priority of mine since day one in Congress, and that includes advocating for the hardworking air traffic controllers stationed at the Federal Aviation Administration’s N-90 facility in New York’s 4th Congressional District,” said Rep. Anthony D’Esposito. “Recent attempts by the Federal Aviation Administration to forcibly transfer many of these employees out of state are unacceptable, and I will continue standing in solidarity with the dedicated public servants at N-90 to preserve their jobs and ensure that the facility does not see a reduction in resources from the federal government.”

“New York City has one of the most complex airspaces in the country, and the dedicated air traffic controllers at New York Terminal Radar Approach Control ensure that travelers flying in and out of our airports are safe in the sky,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. “These hard-working air traffic controllers don’t deserve to have their lives uprooted and be forced to relocate, jeopardizing staffing levels and weakening public safety. That is why I’m calling on the FAA to keep these air traffic controllers in New York and protect their families from forced relocation.”

“For months, I have been explicitly clear that the FAA's blatant disregard for the personal and professional lives of our air traffic controllers is unacceptable. These Long Islanders deserve to be treated with the respect and dignity they have earned through long hours of doing everything they can to keep our communities safe,” said Rep. Nick LaLota. “These workers ensure the safety and efficiency of our skies, and their families deserve stability, not upheaval. I urge the FAA to rescind their ill-considered reassignment plan and prioritize the welfare of our invaluable air traffic controllers.”

“The FAA’s decision to reassign air traffic controllers from New York to Philadelphia is a solution in search of a problem,” said Rep. Andrew Garbarino. “This shortsighted decision will uproot controllers and their families and disrupt vital operations in the region. The FAA must immediately rescind these forced relocations.”

“The FAA’s insistence on uprooting dedicated air traffic controllers from their homes in New York and New Jersey to Philadelphia is unacceptable,” said Rep. Rob Menendez. “We are calling on the FAA to reconsider this decision, to prioritize the well-being of our air traffic controllers and their families, and to explore alternative solutions that uphold both safety and stability."

 "The FAA's decision to relocate air traffic controllers from Long Island is forcing them to choose between continuing their careers and leaving their families, or resigning from the FAA, as they're being required to move 150 miles from their homes." said Joe Segretto, President, NY TRACON.

In the letter, the Congressmen said that they “were shocked that the FAA would once again take the unwarranted step of reassigning controllers against their will, jeopardizing existing staffing levels, weakening public safety, and unduly disrupting the lives of our valuable air traffic controllers.”

They urged the FAA to “immediately rescind its reassignment plan and protect families from forced relocation.”

The lawmakers charged that “the FAA has clearly failed to consider the many personal aspects of such a decision, including its effects on controller’s families, relatives, homeownership, and community ties.”

The letter cites the case of one employee, a father whose daughter was born with cerebral palsy requiring daily care, would have to search for a new team of doctors and support services with no guarantee that those services are sufficiently available in their new location.

“These union employees are essential to the safety and smooth operation of almost 100,000 flights daily and work in high-stress, fast-paced environments with the utmost professionalism and dedication to excellence. They are the backbone of our nation’s aviation system,” the letter concluded.

Co-signers to the Suozzi/D’Esposito letter to the FAA include: Sen. Charles Schumer (NY); Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (NY); Rep Nick LaLota (NY01); Rep. Andrew Garbarino (NY-02): and Rep. Rob Menendez (NJ-08).