"Eight or nine of the 10 busiest travel days ever have 2occurred since May 23rd of this year."

As passenger volume has 3rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of essential 4aviation workers has 5lagged. 

"One of the biggest challenges we have right now is with ATC, 6air traffic control and the controllers." 

On Wednesday, aviation experts joined the House Aviation Subcommittee to discuss how to 7implement safety and 8staffing 9provisions in the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization act signed by President Joe Biden in May. That includes filling 3,000 vacancies among the nation's air traffic controllers. 

"Shortage of these vital members of the workforce have resulted in 10subpar experiences across the 11ecosystem of aviation."

The panel also highlighted obstacles for the next generation of pilots, especially training costs. 

"We need additional assistance filling in 12pay gaps, and students need assistance in funding their dreams of flight." 

Katy Nastro of the travel website Going says despite the 13convergence of lingering staffing 14shortfalls versus heavy passenger traffic, air travel 15fared well during the busy July 4th stretch. 

"Coming out of one of the busiest time periods that we've seen on record, July 4th, and not seeing any mass cancellations or really, really significant delays by the airlines is a good sign that airlines are actually keeping pace." 

But Lawmakers, planning for future stresses on the system,

 "This is just going to grow greater and greater."

 as passenger volume keeps climbing.