The FAA is reportedly moving forward with a plan to close 21 regional National Weather Service Center Weather Service Units — called en route centers – and consolidate them into two units in Maryland and Kansas City, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has said in denouncing the move.
The union’s president, Patrick Forrey, is concerned that if the plan is implemented controllers would lose "immediate expertise of an on-site meteorologist to advise them where to route aircraft experiencing difficulty when weather conditions play a critical role in that decision."
The union and the FAA are currently mediating a contract dispute unrelated to the en route centers that dates back to 2006 when then agency declared an impasse and walked out of negotiations, imposing its latest contract offer.
Former FAA Administrator Jane Garvey is leading the three-member panel and unresolved issues could result in a binding resolution.
