The Trump administration has initiated a sweeping round of layoffs at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), affecting hundreds of probationary employees, according to the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) union. The move, which has been described as a cost-cutting measure, comes just weeks after a deadly mid-air collision near Washington, D.C., raising concerns about the future of aviation safety in the U.S.
According to a statement from PASS union leader Alex Spero, the affected workers were informed of their termination via email late Friday night. Most of those impacted had been employed for less than a year and had not yet completed their probationary period. The layoffs, reportedly directed by the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), led by Elon Musk, are part of a broader effort to reduce federal government expenditures.
Spero condemned the mass firings, calling them “shameful” and warning that they would place additional strain on an already overburdened workforce. He emphasized that the FAA has long struggled with understaffing, and cutting critical personnel in the wake of recent aviation accidents was “unconscionable.”
The FAA is responsible for overseeing the safety and regulation of U.S. airspace, and its workforce includes safety inspectors, maintenance mechanics, systems specialists, and administrative personnel. Many experts fear that losing such key personnel will increase the risks associated with air travel.
Jason King, one of the recently laid-off employees, voiced his concerns about the decision. In an interview with WUSA9, he stated, “Firing people who are directly involved in air safety is a serious public safety issue. This move undermines public trust and increases the likelihood of future accidents.”
King, who worked on identifying and mitigating safety risks in the national airspace, warned that aviation safety should not be reduced to a mere budget item. “When cost-cutting measures interfere with public safety, the consequences can be devastating,” he said.
In response to concerns over air safety, a team from Elon Musk’s SpaceX was scheduled to visit the FAA to propose improvements to the U.S. air traffic control system. This visit follows the deadly Washington, D.C., plane collision in January, which left 67 people dead.
Although the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has not yet determined the cause of the collision, reports indicate that staffing levels at the airport’s air traffic control tower were below normal on the night of the accident. This has led some experts to speculate that understaffing may have played a role in the crash.
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy stated that SpaceX’s involvement would provide an opportunity to “build a new, world-class air traffic control system that will be the envy of the world.” He also announced plans to visit the FAA Academy later this week to assess the quality of training provided to new personnel.
The Trump administration’s cost-cutting measures extend beyond the FAA. Reports indicate that similar mass layoffs have affected other federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Among those let go were half of the CDC’s “disease detectives,” specialists responsible for investigating and managing major disease outbreaks.
Health officials have expressed alarm over the layoffs, warning that the loss of these key personnel could weaken the country’s ability to respond to health emergencies. Many of the dismissed employees were members of the Epidemic Intelligence Service, a prestigious two-year training program for public health officers.
In addition to these firings, President Trump has taken steps to remove federal watchdogs tasked with ensuring government accountability. He has asked the Supreme Court to approve the dismissal of Hampton Dellinger, head of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, which protects whistleblower employees. The case could set a precedent for the administration’s ability to reshape oversight agencies by eliminating their leadership.
The FAA layoffs have raised serious concerns about the future of aviation safety in the United States. With an already strained workforce, experts fear that removing key personnel could lead to increased risks for air travelers. While the administration defends the move as a necessary cost-cutting measure, aviation professionals and union leaders argue that the consequences of these cuts could be dire.
As the nation watches how these changes unfold, many will be looking to see whether the administration takes further action to address concerns about public safety—or whether the pursuit of budget reductions will take precedence over protecting lives.
