FAA Set to Hire 1,500 Air Traffic Controllers This Year

ATC shortages have contributed to several delays and recent close calls, which have prompted the FAA to lay out guidelines reinforcing safety protocols.

Amelia Walsh

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 12:17 PM ET

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According to the National Air Traffic Controller Association, staffing levels are at a 30-year low, while two in 10 air traffic controller positions remain unfilled nationwide. [FLYING file photo]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA is facing a severe air traffic controller shortage, currently at a 30-year low, largely due to pandemic-related training backlogs and the specialized nature of the role.
To address this, the FAA is opening a short application window (May 5-8, 2023) and plans to hire 1,500 controllers this year and 1,800 next, detailing eligibility, extensive training, and attractive compensation averaging over $120,000 annually for experienced staff.
The staffing deficit has led to flight delays and safety concerns, prompting the FAA to reinforce safety protocols and request flight reductions, particularly in understaffed facilities like New York area airports.

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The 2023 application window for entry-level air traffic controllers will open May 5-8 as the FAA grapples with staffing shortages across the nation.

The agency plans to hire roughly 1,500 controllers this year, and another 1,800 next year as it is catching up on pandemic-related training backlogs—a significant cause of the staffing shortage. According to the National Air Traffic Controller Association (NATCA), staffing levels are at a 30-year low, while two in 10 air traffic controller positions remain unfilled nationwide.