ATC
FAA Cuts 2,000 from Certified Controller Goal in 2026 Plan
New plan suggests a necessary full certified professional controller target of 12,563, down from 14,633 in the 2025 plan
Controller at Dulles International Airport (Photo: Bill Carey)
FAA controller staff reached 14,000 this year with the hiring of 1,800 in fiscal year 2024. © Bill Carey/AIN

While emphasizing the strains on the existing air traffic control (ATC) workforce, the FAA’s 2026 Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan cuts the certified professional controller (CPC) staffing target by 2,000 positions. Plans call to continue to ramp up on controller hiring, but the latest plan suggests a necessary full CPC target of 12,563, down from the 14,633 target in the 2025 plan.

To achieve that goal, the FAA is continuing its aggressive plans to hire 2,200 new potential controllers in fiscal year (FY) 2026, 2,300 in 2027, and 2,400 in 2028. The agency noted that it has reached 60% of this year’s hiring target, which is an increase from the 2,026 hired in FY 2025.

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