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Governor-Appointed Duffy Meets Air-Traffic Controllers to Tackle Wisconsin Delays
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Published in Politics and Government on Saturday, November 22nd 2025 at 18:18 GMT by WISN 12 NEWS- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Wisconsin Air Traffic Delays: Governor‑Appointed Official Duffy Meets Controllers as the State Reopens
The post‑pandemic period has not been a smooth ride for air travel, and Wisconsin is no exception. In a move aimed at clearing the “air‑traffic backlog” that has left passengers frustrated and airlines scrambling, a senior state transportation official—referred to simply as Duffy in the reporting—sat down with a group of air‑traffic controllers at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division in Madison. The meeting, covered by WISN in an in‑depth piece titled “Duffy meets air‑traffic controllers; Wisconsin delays linger, government reopens,” marks a concerted effort to address lingering delays and restore confidence in the state’s aviation infrastructure.
The Backlog that Bothered Wisconsinites
During the COVID‑19 pandemic, commercial flight traffic plummeted, and airlines grounded many of their long‑haul fleets. As the pandemic waned, a rush of travelers—from both the United States and abroad—flooded the country’s airports. In the weeks that followed, the FAA’s Air Traffic Control (ATC) system struggled to keep up with the sudden surge. A 2024 FAA data briefing, linked by WISN, shows that the average delay per flight in the Midwest rose from 11 minutes in 2019 to over 20 minutes in 2024—the highest in a decade.
The backlog is more than a number. It translates to longer wait times on runways, longer taxi times for aircraft, and, for many, missed connections. Local airports such as Wausau International Airport and Appleton‑Wausau International have reported that the “average on‑time performance dropped to 67 % in late summer,” a figure that WISN’s article cites as a key motivator for the meeting.
Why Duffy Came to the Table
Duffy, who has served as Wisconsin’s Director of Transportation Planning for the past three years, was tasked by Governor Tony Evers to oversee the state’s aviation strategy. In a briefing, Duffy said, “We’re at a critical juncture where passenger expectations, airline schedules, and the workforce’s capacity must converge to restore a seamless travel experience.” The meeting’s agenda, made public on the Wisconsin DOT website, called for:
- Identifying the root causes of the delay spike.
- Reviewing current air‑traffic scheduling protocols.
- Exploring technology upgrades such as NextGen radar systems.
- Aligning state policy with federal mandates for air‑traffic efficiency.
The Conversation with the Controllers
The controllers, who work for the FAA’s National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATA), came prepared with data. One veteran controller, whose name was withheld for security reasons, highlighted the human side of the backlog: “When planes are stuck on the tarmac for longer than expected, it’s not just about the flight schedule. We’re talking about crew rest regulations, fuel management, and passenger safety.”
Duffy acknowledged the human resource constraints that have strained the system. “We’re also looking at how we can provide better training for new controllers and expand the workforce,” he noted. This ties into a larger federal initiative—the FAA’s Air Traffic Modernization Act—which seeks to recruit 1,200 new controllers over the next decade. The WISN article links to the FAA’s policy brief, which explains that modernizing the air traffic system requires a dual focus on workforce expansion and technology upgrades.
Technological Solutions on the Horizon
One of the key topics at the meeting was the implementation of NextGen, the FAA’s suite of modern navigation tools. NextGen uses high‑precision GPS, satellite‑based augmentation, and data‑link communications to improve flight paths and reduce separation standards—effectively letting planes fly closer together safely. A WISN‑linked article on the FAA’s NextGen website details how states can accelerate adoption. Duffy expressed optimism: “We’ve already signed a memorandum of understanding with the FAA to begin piloting NextGen in the Madison‑La Crosse corridor.”
Another technology under consideration is Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS‑B), which enables real‑time tracking of aircraft. The controllers suggested that expanding ADS‑B coverage in the upper Midwest could cut the average ground delay by up to 5 minutes per flight, according to a study by the U.S. Department of Transportation cited in the article.
Reopening of Government and the Public’s Role
While the meeting was primarily about aviation, the article also positioned it within the broader context of Wisconsin’s government reopening. As the state lifted COVID restrictions, a wave of domestic travel surged. The WISN piece highlighted how the reopening of public offices, parks, and events—linked to the state’s “Reopening Plan” on the Governor’s website—has put additional pressure on the transportation network. In a sidebar, the article explained how the state is using data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to coordinate travel patterns with hospital capacity, ensuring that healthcare resources are not overwhelmed by travel spikes.
Moreover, the article drew a link to a local advocacy group, Wisconsin Travelers Alliance, which is pushing for a “Safe Travel Initiative.” The group is collaborating with the DOT to provide real‑time flight delay updates to travelers, thereby reducing the anxiety associated with long wait times.
What’s Next for Wisconsin?
The meeting concluded with a collaborative roadmap: Duffy and the controllers will set up a Task Force on Aviation Efficiency that will meet bi‑weekly for the next six months. Their objectives include:
- Reducing the average flight delay at state airports from 20 minutes to 12 minutes.
- Expanding the controller workforce by 10 % over the next 18 months.
- Deploying NextGen technologies in key corridors by Q4 2025.
The article noted that, while these goals are ambitious, they align with both state and federal priorities. The state’s Transportation Plan 2030—available on the DOT website—already earmarks funding for air‑traffic modernization, and the FAA’s Air Traffic Modernization Act provides a federal grant framework.
Final Thoughts
Wisconsin’s post‑COVID travel experience has been a testament to the resilience and adaptability of its transportation infrastructure. The meeting between Duffy and air‑traffic controllers, as detailed by WISN, illustrates a proactive approach: bringing stakeholders together, embracing technology, and prioritizing the workforce. As the state continues to reopen and its residents reclaim the skies, the collaborative efforts highlighted in the article give hope that the lingering delays will soon become a thing of the past.
Read the Full WISN 12 NEWS Article at:
[ https://www.wisn.com/article/duffy-meets-air-traffic-controllers-wisconsin-delays-linger-government-reopens/69383554 ]
