FAA Targets 9,000 New Air Traffic Controllers by 2028 to Address Shortage

FAA Unveils Ambitious Hiring Plan to Bolster Aviation Safety

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has rolled out a significant plan to tackle a long-standing shortage of air traffic controllers, a critical component of ensuring safe skies for American travelers. The agency announced its intention to hire nearly 9,000 new controllers by the end of 2028 as part of its Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan. This comes as the FAA currently faces a shortfall of about 3,000 controllers, a gap that has persisted for decades and raised concerns about overworked staff and potential safety risks.

The plan includes hiring 2,000 new recruits in 2025 alone, with a total target of at least 8,900 by late 2028. Additionally, the FAA's Aviation Safety Workforce Plan aims to bring on roughly 4,600 safety inspectors and engineers through 2034. This aggressive recruitment strategy is seen as a necessary step to keep pace with the rapidly evolving aviation industry and maintain the highest standards of safety for all who rely on air travel.

Challenges Remain Despite Recruitment Push

While the FAA's hiring goals are ambitious, the agency acknowledges that even this 'supercharged' effort may not fully resolve the nationwide shortage. Factors such as retirements, training attrition, and other departures are expected to offset some of the gains from new hires. The shortage, which traces back to a mass firing of striking controllers in 1981, has left a lasting impact on the workforce, creating a gap that has never been fully closed.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, 'The aviation ecosystem is rapidly evolving and the FAA must adapt to unprecedented changes. 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.' His words underscore the urgency of addressing staffing issues to prevent potential safety incidents and maintain efficient air travel operations.

Support for FAA Efforts Under Current Leadership

Under the guidance of President Donald J. Trump, there is a strong commitment to supporting the FAA in its mission to enhance aviation safety through workforce expansion. The administration's focus on 'supercharging' recruitment and retention aligns with a broader emphasis on ensuring that critical infrastructure, like air traffic control, operates at peak capacity to serve the American public. This hiring surge is viewed as a practical measure to address immediate needs while laying the groundwork for long-term stability in the aviation sector.

The FAA has also opened new application portals to attract qualified candidates, with specific focus areas like the New York TRACON in East Garden City, which is in dire need of additional staff. As these efforts unfold over the next few years, the agency remains dedicated to filling over 200 positions annually in key locations, striving to reduce delays and enhance safety for every flight across the nation.