The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released updated plans for hiring and developing air traffic controllers and aviation safety personnel. The plans, announced by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, aim to address the growing complexity of the national airspace as new technologies such as electric aircraft, drones, commercial space travel, and artificial intelligence become more prevalent.
According to the FAA’s Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan, at least 8,900 new air traffic controllers are expected to be hired through 2028, with 2,000 hires targeted for 2025. The agency also intends to bring on approximately 4,600 safety inspectors and engineers through 2034 under its Aviation Safety Workforce Plan.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, the USDOT isn’t just solving today’s problems. By looking ahead and planning for the future of transportation, we can ensure America remains the global aerospace leader,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Putting the best and brightest in our towers and in the field will allow us to make flying safer, reduce delays and cancellations, and bring about a Golden Age of travel.”
“The aviation ecosystem is rapidly evolving and the FAA must adapt to unprecedented changes,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “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.”
To speed up hiring efforts for air traffic controllers, the FAA has implemented several initiatives under Secretary Duffy and Deputy Administrator Chris Rocheleau. In March, a focused recruitment campaign led to more than 8,320 candidates being referred for aptitude testing after streamlining application procedures that previously took over a year from start to academy admission.
Additional measures announced in May include financial incentives for new hires assigned to hard-to-staff locations as well as faster processing of medical and security clearances.
Other steps involve recruiting experienced controllers from military or private backgrounds throughout the year; increasing capacity at the FAA Academy; expanding programs that let qualified students bypass some training steps; and deploying improved simulation systems at dozens of facilities that can shorten training times significantly.
On the aviation safety side, employees are responsible for enforcing regulations, investigating incidents, certifying equipment and personnel, as well as overseeing medical programs within aviation. As technology advances quickly—especially in areas like advanced materials or artificial intelligence—the agency faces ongoing challenges in keeping pace.
The FAA’s approach includes granting immediate hiring authority for certain roles; offering relocation bonuses where needed; providing premium pay for medical officers; and giving additional incentives for positions that are difficult to fill.
