Federal Watchdog Raises Concerns Over Staffing And Data Access
A US federal watchdog has issued a report criticizing the Federal Aviation Administration’s oversight of United Airlines’ maintenance practices, citing insufficient staffing, planning, and data access. The report, which was opened in early 2024 after a string of safety-related incidents, found that the FAA’s oversight was inadequate to address safety risks. The agency’s failure to fill vacancies and plan for retirements has left its office overseeing United understaffed and ill-equipped to carry out its responsibilities. The report’s findings come at a sensitive moment for the FAA, which has faced criticism over staffing, oversight consistency, and safety reforms. According to Reuters, the FAA is working on broader changes to staffing and surveillance. The report was first published by AeroTime.