Air traffic controller staffing at LaGuardia airport on the night an Air Canada jet collided with a fire truck may have violated the facility's procedures ‌by combining roles before midnight, according to a document seen by Reuters. ET on March 22, which killed both pilots, has revived concerns over U.S. air traffic control staffing shortages and the workload of controllers across the country. Staffing shortages, including at the supervisor level, are placing controllers into combined roles handling local air and ground traffic more often, according to several ​air traffic controllers across the country. WATCH | Staffing shortages stress U.S. air traffic control: Deadly LaGuardia crash renews questions about air traffic controller shortage | Duration 2:02 The deadly Air Canada collision at LaGuardia airport has renewed questions about the long-standing shortage of air traffic controllers in the United States and the potential safety implications. WATCH | Former air traffic controller breaks down the crash: Air Canada LaGuardia crash: What a former air traffic controller sees | Duration 4:45 CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault asks retired FAA air traffic controller Harvey Scolnick to break down the big questions he has after Air Canada Flight 8646 collided with a fire truck at New York City's LaGuardia airport, killing both pilots.

Source: CBC News April 01, 2026 19:28 UTC