FAA Plans Major Hiring to Address Air Traffic Controller Shortages

FAA Updates Hiring Plan for Air Traffic Controllers & Aviation Safety Personnel

In August 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) unveiled a sweeping update to its workforce plans, targeting the acute staffing shortages that have challenged the safety and efficiency of the U.S. aviation system. The new plans set ambitious hiring goals: at least 8,900 air traffic controllers through 2028 and approximately 4,600 aviation safety inspectors and engineers through 2034. This marks the most significant hiring initiative for the FAA in recent decades and comes in response to a confluence of factors, technological change, increased air traffic, and the need to modernize infrastructure while preserving the world’s safest airspace.

The significance of this initiative cannot be overstated. Persistent understaffing has led to operational bottlenecks, flight delays, and concerns about maintaining robust oversight of an increasingly complex aviation industry. By addressing workforce gaps and investing in training and technology, the FAA aims to secure both the immediate functionality and the future resilience of the national airspace system. This article explores the historical roots of the staffing crisis, details the FAA’s updated hiring and training strategies, examines budget and modernization efforts, and analyzes the implications for aviation safety and industry stakeholders.

Historical Context and the Current Staffing Crisis

The FAA’s current staffing challenges are rooted in a decade of disruptions and systemic issues. The 2013 federal budget sequestration forced a hiring freeze, breaking recruitment pipelines and creating a backlog that would reverberate for years. This was compounded by the 35-day government shutdown in 2019, which again delayed hiring and training, and by the COVID-19 pandemic, which shuttered training facilities and halted on-the-job learning. According to FAA Academy officials, training only returned to near-normal levels in early 2022, but the effects of these interruptions are still being felt.

Complicating matters further is the demographic profile of the FAA’s workforce. Air traffic controllers are typically hired later in their careers, leading to a workforce with both the highest average age and lowest average tenure among federal occupations. Retirements, promotions, and attrition have outpaced new certifications, resulting in a net loss of experienced personnel. For example, a 2021 Inspector General report found that 59% of Certificate Management Office managers and 79% of Flight Standards District Office managers reported their units were understaffed, particularly in safety inspector roles.

The operational impact is stark. The FAA is currently short by approximately 3,000 to 3,600 fully certified air traffic controllers compared to its targets. Major hubs such as Denver, Northern California, and Jacksonville are operating with dozens fewer controllers than needed, leading to increased delays and operational vulnerabilities. Only 2 out of 313 air-traffic facilities currently meet agreed staffing targets, and some, like Minnesota’s Rochester Tower, are staffed at less than half of their required levels. These shortages have led to over 300 “staffing triggers” in places like Jacksonville Center, where air traffic must be reduced to maintain safety.

“Safety is the priority. If we don’t feel something is safe, we will stop, or we will slow things down.”, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy

Impacts on Air Traffic Operations

The uneven distribution of staffing shortages has created acute problems at specific facilities. For instance, Philadelphia TRACON’s Area C, which manages Newark Liberty’s airspace, has only 22 fully certified controllers, well below optimal levels. When unexpected events occur, such as a technical outage or trauma leave for controllers, flight capacity can drop precipitously, causing cascading delays and cancellations across the network.

These staffing bottlenecks force the FAA to implement a safety-first approach: when controller bandwidth is inadequate, flight volumes are reduced rather than risking operational safety. This policy, while necessary, has led to more frequent and severe travel disruptions, especially during peak periods or adverse weather.

The Inspector General’s analysis found that 20 of 26 critical facilities are below the FAA’s 85% staffing threshold. The ripple effects are felt by airlines, passengers, and the broader economy, highlighting the urgency of a comprehensive workforce response.

FAA’s Updated Workforce Plans and Training Initiatives

The FAA’s 2025–2028 Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan is the agency’s most aggressive hiring effort in recent memory. It outlines a path to hire at least 2,000 new controllers in 2025, 2,200 in 2026, 2,300 in 2027, and 2,400 in 2028. This accelerated timeline is a direct response to the scale of the current crisis and reflects a shift from incremental hiring to a more urgent, systemic approach.

A key innovation is the streamlining of the hiring process, reducing the steps from eight to five and cutting the time-to-hire by more than four months. More than 8,300 candidates have already been referred to the aptitude exam under this new system. The FAA has also introduced retention incentives for hard-to-staff locations, expedited medical and security clearances, and financial rewards for those willing to work in challenging environments.

The Aviation Safety Workforce Plan, covering 2025–2034, aims to hire about 4,600 inspectors and engineers. This is critical as the aviation industry evolves with new technologies, such as advanced air mobility, electric propulsion, and artificial intelligence, requiring specialized oversight. The plan includes on-the-spot hiring authority, relocation incentives, and premium pay to compete with private sector opportunities.

“Our success depends on highly skilled and dedicated air traffic control and aviation safety inspector workforces and growing both is a top priority for the FAA.”, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford

Training Pipeline and Academy Capacity

Hiring alone cannot resolve the staffing crisis without improvements in training throughput and effectiveness. The FAA is maximizing capacity at its Oklahoma City Academy and expanding classroom space to accommodate more trainees. New Tower Simulation Systems at 95 facilities are projected to reduce training times by up to 27%, providing immersive, realistic scenarios for aspiring controllers.

The Enhanced Air Traffic, Collegiate Training Initiative allows graduates from specialized university programs to bypass parts of the traditional Academy process, starting on-the-job training sooner. Middle Georgia State University’s program is one example of this partnership, helping to diversify and expand the controller pipeline.

Despite these efforts, limitations remain. The National Academies report, coauthored by Georgia Tech’s Karen Feigh, found that the Academy’s annual training capacity is limited, and high failure rates further constrain the number of new certified controllers. Facility-specific training requirements mean that even certified controllers must undergo lengthy retraining when relocating, sometimes taking over a year to become fully operational in a new environment.

Budget, Funding, and Modernization

The FAA’s workforce plans are backed by significant budget allocations. The Biden-Harris Administration’s FY2025 budget includes $43 million for controller hiring and training, with an additional $8 billion over five years for facility replacement and radar modernization. These funds will help replace or upgrade more than 20 air traffic control facilities and 377 radar systems.

Congressional proposals add further support, with $12.5 billion earmarked for air traffic control modernization, including telecommunications infrastructure, radar replacements, and new control centers. However, experts caution that even this amount may be insufficient to fully address the modernization needs, with some estimates suggesting the true cost could be more than double.

The Office of Aviation Safety is set to receive $1.8 billion, reflecting the FAA’s response to recent oversight challenges and incidents, such as the Boeing 737-9 door plug failure. These investments are intended to bolster both operational safety and the capacity for continuous improvement.

“While $12.5 billion is serious money, it may not be enough to fully realize the vision for a state-of-the-art air traffic control system.”, Rob Mark, retired pilot and former air traffic controller

Safety Implications and Future Outlook

Staffing shortages have direct safety implications. A 2023 government report warned that low staffing levels pose “a risk to the continuity of air traffic operations.” The FAA’s policy of reducing traffic in understaffed sectors maintains safety, but cannot eliminate all risks associated with chronic shortages. Recent oversight failures, such as those related to Boeing, underscore the critical need for adequate inspector staffing.

The evolving technological landscape, spanning drones, advanced air mobility, and artificial intelligence, demands a workforce with new skills and expertise. The FAA’s hiring and training plans are designed to ensure that both controllers and inspectors are equipped to manage these challenges, but success will depend on sustained funding, political support, and effective partnerships with industry and labor.

Experts agree that resolving the current crisis will require a long-term commitment. The agency’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances, maintain robust training pipelines, and modernize infrastructure will determine whether the U.S. can continue to lead the world in aviation safety and efficiency.

Conclusion

The FAA’s updated workforce plans for air traffic controllers and aviation safety personnel represent a decisive response to years of underinvestment and disruption. By setting ambitious hiring targets, streamlining training, and investing in technology and infrastructure, the agency aims to restore operational resilience and maintain the highest safety standards.

The ultimate success of these initiatives will hinge on the FAA’s ability to sustain political and financial support, adapt to future disruptions, and coordinate efforts across government, industry, and labor. As aviation continues to evolve, the lessons learned from this workforce overhaul may offer a blueprint for addressing similar challenges in other critical infrastructure sectors.

FAQ

How many new air traffic controllers does the FAA plan to hire?
The FAA aims to hire at least 8,900 new air traffic controllers through 2028, with 2,000 targeted for 2025 alone.

What measures is the FAA taking to improve training?
The FAA is expanding Academy capacity, deploying advanced simulation systems, and partnering with universities to streamline the training pipeline and reduce certification times.

Why is there a staffing crisis in air traffic control?
The crisis is due to a combination of budget cuts, hiring freezes, an aging workforce, retirements, and disruptions from events such as the 2019 government shutdown and the COVID-19 pandemic.

How is the FAA addressing aviation safety inspector shortages?
The FAA plans to hire approximately 4,600 safety inspectors and engineers by 2034, offering incentives, expedited hiring, and targeted recruitment for specialized skills.

What role does technology play in the FAA’s modernization efforts?
Technology investments include upgrading radar and communication systems, building new control centers, and integrating automation tools to support both current and future air traffic operations.

Sources: Airport Industry News, U.S. Department of Transportation, FAA