FAA Turning to Cash Bonuses to Attract Air Traffic Controllers

FAA Academy graduates will get thousands in incentives for completing training and accepting roles in hard-to-staff regions.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, May 01, 2025 at 05:50 PM ET

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Ryan Ewing

An FAA air traffic control tower at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. [Courtesy: Mark Stebnicki/Pexels]

Key Takeaways:

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled a package of measures to address the nation's shortage of air traffic controllers, aiming to hire 2,000 this year and close a 3,000-controller gap over several years.
Key incentives include financial bonuses for FAA Academy graduates (up to $10,000) and a 20% annual bonus for retirement-eligible controllers who opt to continue working.
The plan also involves streamlining the hiring process, speeding up security clearances, increasing academy instructors, and expanding opportunities for military veterans in air traffic control roles.

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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Thursday unveiled a raft of measures designed to expand the ranks of the nation’s air traffic controllers.

Under the terms of a new agreement between the FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), graduates of the FAA Academy will receive a bonus for completing their courses and additional incentives for agreeing to work in hard to staff or high cost of living areas.