U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced a series of initiatives to expand the air traffic controller workforce, focusing on accelerating hiring processes and improving retention rates. The announcement follows the launch of the supercharge program in February.
“In our first 100 days, this administration has made more progress on addressing the air traffic controller shortage than the last one did in four years," said Duffy, emphasizing the steps taken to enhance both recruitment and retention.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association responded positively, with President Nick Daniels stating, “This new recruitment award and retention incentive program is a meaningful step toward addressing the ongoing staffing shortages in air traffic control across the National Airspace System.” Daniels expressed gratitude to Secretary Duffy for his dedication to improving the profession.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to offer incentives to prevent experienced controllers from retiring and to expand hiring by including opportunities for veteran military controllers. This includes increasing starting salaries and reducing administrative hurdles such as medical and security clearances.
The FAA's hiring campaign, initiated in March, aims to recruit at least 2,000 controllers this year by streamlining the hiring process and boosting salaries for Academy trainees by 30 percent. Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau remarked, “The supercharge hiring initiative is working,” noting rapid progress in the application and training process.
The recruitment and retention package includes financial awards for successful trainees and incentives for assigning graduates to hard-to-staff facilities. Additionally, certified professional controllers choosing to delay retirement will receive monetary benefits.
The FAA is also increasing resources to expedite the medical and security clearance process while enhancing instructor availability at the Air Traffic Controller Academy. Supplementary education at the Academy aims to support students further, and more jobs are expected in Oklahoma City due to the increased demand for teaching staff.
Opportunities are being expanded for veteran military controllers to enter the workforce with direct hiring opportunities bypassing the standard announcement process. The government’s Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative has also been strengthened to allow students to start working directly at FAA facilities post-graduation.
