FAA cuts 400 jobs, raising concerns over air safety oversight

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has cut about 400 jobs, including aviation safety assistants and maintenance mechanics, starting Friday. These roles support safety inspectors and airport operations, raising concerns about air safety. FAA officials stated that no critical safety personnel were laid off. However, the union representing affected workers argues that the cuts will hinder safety oversight and maintenance at air traffic control facilities. Public confidence in air travel has declined following a recent midair collision. A poll shows that only 64% of U.S. adults now view plane travel as safe, down from 71% last year.