Privatisation could be the fix for US air traffic woes and keep the skies open - Monocle

Privatisation Could Fix US Air Traffic Problems

Since the 1960s, United Airlines has invited travellers to “fly the friendly skies,” yet recently, US airspace has been far from friendly. The record-breaking 37-day federal government shutdown has taken a serious toll, particularly on about 13,000 unpaid air-traffic controllers.

Aviation safety specialists are under immense pressure, with nearly 80 per cent of controllers absent from facilities in the New York area last Friday. Over the weekend, several major airports across the US issued temporary ground stops.

For frequent travellers, the Misery Map—a live visualisation of delays—has become a more engaging news feed than social media. In a vast country where flying is often the only practical way to connect distant cities, the chaos is prompting both Democrats and Republicans to consider compromise, much like they did at the end of the January 2019 shutdown.

“This weekend I witnessed how things could be done differently while on a visit to Olympic National Park in Washington.”

Rethinking Air-Traffic Control

Despite political tension, both parties appear to be missing a crucial chance to reimagine how air-traffic control could operate. The crisis reveals how outdated systems and political dependence could be replaced by a more efficient model—potentially through privatisation, which could stabilise operations and enhance safety long term.

Author’s Summary

Privatisation might be the key reform to modernise US air-traffic control and prevent political gridlock from grounding the nation again.

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Monocle Monocle — 2025-11-06

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