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 result in a net gain of only about 1,000 certified controllers due to expected attrition, falling short of the 3,000-3,500 needed to address the nationwide shortage.
Persistent understaffing, with many facilities operating significantly below target, is linked to critical safety concerns (e.g., incidents requiring visual separation) and has caused widespread operational disruptions, including flight delays and cancellations.
The FAA and DOT have implemented measures to boost hiring, such as increased salaries, streamlined processes, and bonuses, and are also investing $12.5 billion in modernizing outdated ATC technology and infrastructure.
Despite these efforts and exceeding its FY2024 hiring target, a decade of underhiring means nearly one-third of facilities remain below staffing targets, indicating the shortage will likely persist.

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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.