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San Carlos Airport is now fully staffed with air traffic controllers following a pay dispute, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed on Wednesday, April 2.
A new airport contractor, Oklahoma-based Robinson Aviation (RVA), reached a contract agreement with controllers before a 60-day deadline to settle talks.
Permanent staffing for the tower was in limbo when controllers for RVA refused to begin work on Feb. 1, in part, because RVA declined to give them an $18,000 annual housing stipend to account for the Bay Area’s high cost of living, said San Mateo County airports spokesperson Davi Howard in early February. This caused a near disruption of services.
“From what I hear, all appears to be well; crisis averted,” said Howard in an email.
The airport’s longtime provider Serco stepped in and extended its services during labor negotiations.
During talks, control tower staffing was being supplemented with temporary controllers, which was “not sustainable,” San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller said in February. At the time, both Mueller and U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin urged the FAA to expedite negotiations to staff the airport with qualified air traffic controllers after hearing talks had stalled.
“We are heartened to hear that the FAA has reached a deal with our traffic controllers to ensure San Carlos Airport’s control towers are fully staffed for the immediate time being and the skyways over San Mateo County are safe,” said Mueller in a prepared statement. “I am deeply grateful to everyone involved for their swift action in restoring long-term air traffic control services, with special thanks to Congressman Mullin for his strong advocacy. This is great news for public safety on the Peninsula, and we will continue to stay vigilant to ensure everything remains on track.”
Mullin, who issued a joint press release with Mueller on Wednesday commending the close of negotiations said that: “Communities surrounding airports and airline travelers across the country rely on air traffic controllers to keep them safe. This news is a relief to many in my district and I will continue to stay engaged with the FAA and local partners to ensure this solution is a lasting one.”
RVA could not be reached for comment. An FAA spokesperson did not share details of the contract, including when it was signed.
Bob Kearn, a pilot who’s flown out of the airport for over 35 years and board member for the nonprofit San Carlos Airport Association, is pleased the staffing issue was put to bed for now.
“The airport will work more efficiently and safely with a staffed control tower,” he said.
San Carlos is a small but busy airport. Its air space is congested during prime hours. The airport is host to over 500 aircraft and 25 aviation-related businesses, according to a February press release from Mueller’s office. In 2024, the airport saw 90,000 operations, according to the county website.
San Mateo County owns and operates the airport, but the FAA oversees staffing it. The FAA, through a bid process, awarded RVA a contract to staff the tower, according to an FAA spokesperson.
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