"Flight Delays Persist Despite Highest Staffing Levels in Decades: What's the Cause?"

US passenger airline employment is at its highest level in over two decades, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). However, passengers are still experiencing "unacceptable delays and disruptions" due to a shortage of air traffic controllers in North America. The IATA blames this on poor planning by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NAV Canada, along with outdated technology, airline staffing issues, and bad weather. Additionally, recent incidents include medical teams treating heat-related discomfort on a plane in Las Vegas and an emergency evacuation slide falling into a Chicago neighborhood. Despite these challenges, air travel remains safe, accessible, and affordable.