The FAA continues to spool up on air traffic controller hiring, exceeding its goal of adding 1,800 this year and reopening the application process shortly for the next year, the agency reported today. In the current fiscal year ending September 30, the FAA has hired 1,811 controllers, the largest number in nearly 10 years as it works to reverse the decades-long staffing decline.
More than 3,400 controllers are now in various states of training, from initial instruction at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma to specialized airspace preparation. In all, the agency has more than 14,000 controllers on staff. According to its workforce plan from 2024 through 2033, the agency plans to ramp up hiring to 2,000 in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and a peak of 2,400 in FY 2026. Meanwhile, the controller staff will continue to increase with a goal of nearing 16,200 by FY 2031 as the wave of retirements ease and the agency recovers from Covid-era departures.
More In ATC
