The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is facing a class-action lawsuit alleging its hiring practices prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives over merit, leading to the rejection of more than 1,000 qualified air traffic controller candidates.
According to a report from the New York Post, the lawsuit claims that the FAA implemented a biographical assessment tool designed to favor candidates with no aviation experience to meet DEI goals.
Critics argue that this approach has exacerbated the nation’s air traffic controller shortage, estimated at around 3,800 positions below necessary levels.
“The FAA basically decided the students were too white and the schools too elite, so in 2013 knocked them off the preferred hiring list they had trained and worked hard to get onto — all because of their race,” claimed attorney Michael Pearson, who is leading the lawsuit, per the Post.
According to the attorney, 95 percent of the previously qualified candidates he represents then failed the biographical assessment questionnaire — essentially a personality test — and were “screened out.”
“They had the training and the passion and they were ready to be hired,” he added.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has also weighed in on the controversy, blaming DEI policies for shifting the department’s focus away from safety and contributing to staffing shortages. Recent aviation close calls and delays have raised concerns about whether these hiring policies have impacted operational efficiency.
The FAA has been under the microscope for its employment and training practices since last month when an American Airlines regional passenger jet collided with an Army Blackhawk helicopter near Washington’s Reagan National Airport.
All 67 people aboard both aircraft were killed.
Supporters of the FAA’s diversity initiatives argue that broadening the candidate pool creates a workforce that better represents the flying public and fosters improved communication in high-stress environments. However, opponents warn that prioritizing diversity over experience could compromise aviation safety.
The debate over DEI in FAA hiring reflects broader national discussions about balancing inclusivity with qualifications in critical industries. As the lawsuit moves forward, it could have significant implications for federal hiring policies and the future of air traffic control staffing.