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INTERNATIONAL GROUP BLASTS USA AND CANADA ON AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS
The International Air Transport Association is blasting the Biden administration and Canada’s federal government for failing to keep up with the demand for air traffic controllers.
Air Traffic Control staff shortages in North America “continue to produce unacceptable delays and disruptions for the traveling public on both sides of the border,” the group said recently.
“The recent report by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of the Inspector General makes clear that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has allowed the controller workforce to shrink to the point where it is challenged to maintain continuity of operations at the country’s most critical air traffic control facilities. In fact, 77% of these vital facilities are staffed below the Agency’s 85% threshold. The situations in New York Terminal Radar Approach Control and Miami Tower are extreme at 54% and 66%, respectively.
The group also criticized the Trudeau government in Ottawa.
“Recent press reports highlight how NAV Canada, the Canadian air navigation services provider (ANSP), is also letting down airlines and the traveling public, with hundreds of flights cancelled owing to controller shortages,” IATA said.
WORLD’S BEST AIRPORTS FOR FOOD: SOUTH KOREA TAKES THE PRIZE
If you want good airport food, the U.S. is good. But Asia is your best bet.
CNBC says Radical Storage, a luggage storage service and travel tip provider, ranked the best airports for food in the world from an analysis of more than 1.2 million passenger reviews. The ranking measured the following data points for the top 100 airports;
- Number of eateries (restaurants and cafés) available to passengers.
- Average price of a main meal or lunch item in each airport.
- The average rating of eateries on Google Maps.
- Number of eateries that offer vegan and vegetarian options.
- Number of eateries that offer gluten-free options.
No Canadian airports made the top 10, but Toronto Pearson finished in 14th spot. No European airports made the top 10, either.
The U.S. placed eight airports in the top 20, while Asia had nine, including five of the top seven.
Here’s the top 20:
- Incheon International Airport, South Korea
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, United States
- Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan
- Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, United States
- Jeju International Airport, South Korea
- Narita International Airport, Japan
- Tokyo International Airport, Japan
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport, United States (don’t miss the Chicago popcorn)
- Los Angeles International Airport, United States
- Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore
- Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Sweden
- Hong Kong International Airport
- San Francisco International Airport, United States
- Toronto Pearson Airport, Canada
- Denver International Airport, United States
- Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Turkiye
- Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, India
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport, United States
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila, Philippines
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, United States