FAA Unveils New ATC Staffing Blueprint

Updated plan would add about 1,000 certified controllers and controllers in training by the end of 2028.

Jack Daleo

Friday, August 08, 2025 at 03:00 PM ET

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Jack Daleo

Updated FAA blueprint aims to hire thousands of controllers through 2028, though thousands more are expected to depart the workforce. [Courtesy: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA's plan to hire 8,900 air traffic controllers by 2028 is projected to fall short of fully addressing the current 3,000-3,500 nationwide shortage due to anticipated high attrition.
Persistent understaffing at many facilities is linked to safety concerns, such as encouraging visual separation that adds pilot workload, and operational disruptions like flight delays and cancellations.
Despite government efforts to "supercharge" hiring with incentives and streamlined processes, ATC staffing has been declining for over a decade, leaving many facilities significantly below their targets.
In parallel with hiring initiatives, the DOT and FAA are investing $12.5 billion in a modernization plan to upgrade outdated ATC technology and infrastructure.

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The FAA’s latest air traffic control (ATC) workforce plan projects that the agency will hire thousands of controllers by the end of 2028—but that push would not be enough to address a nationwide shortage that has persisted for years.

The staffing blueprint, unveiled Thursday by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, outlines the agency’s strategy to close the gap, which stands at about 3,000 to 3,500 certified professional controllers (CPCs). The plan calls for onboarding about 8,900 personnel through 2028.