Two Iowa Airports Among Most Understaffed in U.S.

It's a great time of the year for many families.

The kids are out of school, and summer is here! It's a great time to travel.

For many of us, that would mean hopping in the car. Midwesterners do love a road trip and seldom complain about the miles.

For others, it's easier, or sometimes necessary, to hop on a plane and fly somewhere.

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That can be... a little dicey in 2025. We're all aware of the issues the Newark Airport is having. However, we may now face a significant issue in Iowa as well.

Air Traffic Controller Shortages Are Becoming a Major Issue

In the U.S., there is a serious shortage of air traffic controllers. Recent mishaps in Newark aside, a controller shortage will mean understaffing.

Understaffing means controllers are often working mandatory overtime. That can lead to extreme fatigue, which can lead to severe safety issues.

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So, where are the worst air traffic controller shortages? Well, we have two airports in Iowa that are critically short-staffed, according to the folks at Visual Capitalist.

Iowa is significantly impacted by the nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers, with both Des Moines and Waterloo airports experiencing some of the highest vacancy rates in the country.

How Bad is It In Des Moines and Waterloo?

As of September 2023, Axios reports that the Des Moines International Airport operated at just 56.5% of its staffing target, while Waterloo Tower was even lower at 52%, according to USA Facts.

While ALO, or the Waterloo Regional airport, is pretty small, offering only a couple of commercial flights a day, DSM, or the Des Moines International Airport, is a different story.

The airport is also constructing a new terminal set to open in 2027. Shortages could hinder increased passenger capacity and lead to further stress on both travelers and staff.

Staffing shortage can also lead to strained operations and potentially impact flight safety and efficiency.

What's Being Done to Confront the Shortage Issue?

The Trump administration is working to boost the air traffic controller workforce by launching a new program aimed at speeding up hiring and offering financial incentives to keep current controllers from retiring early.

However, since training and certifying new controllers takes years, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says it could still be three to four years before staffing levels catch up to demand.

READ MORE: How Did Iowans Travel in the 1800s? Here's How [GALLERY]

For air traffic controllers, there is a mandatory retirement age of 56.