(KRON) — Contract negotiations for air traffic controllers at San Carlos Airport (SQL) have stalled, according to local officials. Last month, it was reported that the small peninsula airport, which is located just 12 miles south of San Francisco International Airport (SFO) would lose its air traffic controllers.
News that the airport’s tower would soon be unstaffed came on the same day of the Washington D.C. air disaster in which an Army Blackhawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines passenger jet, killing 67 people. However, days later, SQL announced it had reached an agreement to keep its air traffic controllers.
But despite an agreement between the airport’s current contractor and the Federal Aviation Administration to extend the current contract for 60 days, meaningful negotiations “are not occurring,” according to San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller.
The stall in negotiations, according to Mueller, could put Bay Area residents at risk.
“We are deeply concerned by reports that negotiations have not been productive to ensure skyways over San Mateo County are safe,” said Mueller, whose district includes San Carlos Airport. “Given the airport’s proximity to San Francisco International Airport, the FAA must prioritize this air traffic controller agreement. This delay is unacceptable, and we need to see a clear, timely commitment from the FAA and their contractor to finalize these negotiations with the airport’s air traffic controller.”
San Carlos Mayor Sara McDowell is also calling for attention to the issue, saying, “the safety of our San Carlos community and our regional neighbors is non-negotiable. We urge all parties to act swiftly and decisively to restore long-term air traffic control services at the San Carlos Airport.”
Described as a “vital aviation hub,” San Carlos Airport is home to over 500 aircraft and 25 aviation-related business. It’s also a “critical training ground” for aspiring pilots, according to Mueller.
“As the deadline approaches, airport officials and elected officials are calling on the FAA to expedite the negotiation process and ensure that the San Carlos Airport is staffed with qualified air traffic controllers who are compensated fairly and in accordance with the cost of living in the Bay Area,” said Mueller’s office in a statement.
The contract dispute at SQL comes amid ongoing national questions over aviation safety in the midst of job cuts at the FAA instituted by the Trump administration and its proxy agency, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk. Earlier this week, a Delta commuter flight from Minneapolis crash landed in Toronto, flipped upside down and caught fire.
All 80 people onboard the plane managed to survive.
(KRON) — Contract negotiations for air traffic controllers at San Carlos Airport (SQL) have stalled, according to local officials. Last month, it was reported that the small peninsula airport, which is located just 12 miles south of San Francisco International Airport (SFO) would lose its air traffic controllers. News that the airport’s tower would soon […]