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For Immediate Release ROSENDAHL ACTS TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY AT LAX LOS ANGELES--Acting to protect public safety at Los Angeles International Airport, Councilmember Bill Rosendahl is calling for more information on disturbing reports that air traffic control towers at LAX are chronically under-staffed. Rosendahl has introduced a motion requesting that the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) brief the City's Trade, Commerce, and Tourism Committee on their contention that a staffing shortage has led to a spike in runway incursions at the airport. Rosendahl’s motion comes days after the federal government issued a report on runway safety nationwide, saying LAX had more incursions than any other U.S. airport from 2001 to 2006. The report, from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), indicated staffing at the control tower was a factor. “Public safety is my top priority,” Rosendahl said. “I want to prevent the type of human error that has led to many of the incursions at LAX. I am hopeful that this briefing will shed more light on that issue.” The GAO report, which was released to Congress on Aviation Runway and Ramp Safety, said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has failed nationwide to decrease the rate of runway incursions despite efforts in the last five years to improve runway safety at airports by deploying new safety technologies, modifying airport layout, markings, signing, lighting, and providing training for pilots and air traffic controllers. The report noted that air traffic controller fatigue, which may result from regularly working overtime, continues to be a serious aviation safety concern. NATCA said the report underscored the direct link between safety and air controller fatigue. A recent NATCA study of runway safety at LAX from 2000 to 2007 found that the LAX Control Tower was short-staffed in the years 2000, 2001, and 2007. During those years, runway incursions almost doubled from an average of 13.6 runway incursions per year for fully-staffed years to 22.3 runway incursions per year for short-staffed years. That study further concluded that Los Angeles World Airport’s (LAWA) proposal to build a centerline taxiway on the North Airfield would only prevent 1 of those incursions each year. Rosendahl’s concerns were shared by U.S. Rep. Jane Harman, D-Venice, who this week sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration addressing air traffic controller fatigue at LAX.
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