The most widespread of sequestration-caused furloughs to hit the government to date started Sunday with FAA furloughs of air traffic controllers – a cutback whose effects are being felt at some major airports already — but a lawsuit is seeking an injunction to stop them.
Joining the suit are the airline trade association Airlines for America, the Air Line Pilots Association, as well as the Regional Airline Association. The organizations are echoing statements made by the FAA arguing that sequestration cuts would hamper the nation’s air transportation system and cause delays.
The FAA for example has said furloughs could impact up to 6,700 flights a day. The furloughs are expected to save $200 million while tower closings could save another $25 million. The FAA has said the required 10 percent sequester budget cuts would cause flight delays ranging from a few minutes to a few hours, especially at major hubs such as Chicago and New York.
A separate legal challenge prompted the FAA to delay plans to close about 150 contract air traffic control towers until June 15, giving the agency time to contend with the legal challenges.
Airlines for America is seeking a similar outcome for the FAA’s sequestration plan, as it continues to advocate for legislation exempting controllers from furlough actions.
