Overview

• Since January 29, six major aviation incidents in the U.S. and Canada, including a mid-air collision and a plane overturning during landing, have raised public concerns about air travel safety.
• Experts and aviation data indicate that flying remains statistically one of the safest modes of transportation despite recent incidents being highly publicized.
• FAA staffing shortages, including a need for nearly 3,000 additional air traffic controllers, have been identified as a critical issue potentially impacting safety oversight.
• The FAA currently lacks permanent leadership, which experts argue is essential for addressing safety concerns and modernizing air traffic control systems.
• Public confidence in aviation safety has declined, with recent polls showing fewer Americans considering air travel to be very safe compared to previous years.