Why are the FAA job cuts concerning at this time?

The FAA job cuts are concerning because they come during a precarious moment in air travel safety. Hundreds of employees, including system specialists, safety instructors, and maintenance mechanics, were let go while the aviation industry faces various incidents globally, including recent issues in Canada. Although Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy clarified that no air traffic controllers were affected by these layoffs, the timing is problematic given the existing critical shortage of air traffic controllers in the country. This staffing shortage remains a significant challenge that will be inherited by the next administration.