The Trump administration has dismissed several hundred Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees, disrupting staff operations during a busy travel weekend and just weeks after a fatal mid-air collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Probationary workers received termination notices late Friday night via email, according to David Spero, president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists union.
The affected personnel include those responsible for maintaining FAA radar, landing systems, and navigational aids. An air traffic controller, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the cuts also impact air traffic controllers.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association is currently assessing the implications of these firings on aviation safety, air traffic operations, and its members.
Spero stated that termination messages were sent from a non-governmental email address labeled “exec order” and were issued without cause, performance issues, or conduct violations. Some employees may face additional restrictions, including being barred from FAA buildings as early as Tuesday.
The mass firings come as the FAA struggles with a severe staffing shortage. For years, federal officials have warned about an overburdened and understaffed air traffic control system, citing factors such as uncompetitive pay, long shifts, and mandatory retirements.
These concerns were magnified following the January 29 collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet. Investigators have since revealed that a single air traffic controller was responsible for managing both commercial and military air traffic at the time.
Adding to safety concerns, President Trump had recently dismissed all members of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, a panel mandated by Congress to address airline and airport safety following the 1988 PanAm 103 bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland.
While most firings appear to be part of a broad sweep targeting probationary employees, at least one FAA worker, Charles Spitzer-Stadtlander, believes he was singled out for his opinions on Tesla and X, formerly Twitter—both owned by Elon Musk, a key figure in Trump’s federal downsizing efforts.
Spitzer-Stadtlander, who worked on national security threats related to drone attacks, claimed he was supposed to be exempt from the mass terminations. He reported receiving harassing messages on Facebook just days before his dismissal.
The full impact of these terminations on air travel and aviation safety remains uncertain, as experts and industry leaders continue to evaluate the consequences.
