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 plans to hire nearly 9,000 air traffic controllers by 2028, but this effort will not fully resolve the existing nationwide shortage of 3,000-3,500 certified professional controllers due to anticipated attrition.
Persistent understaffing at many ATC facilities leads to increased controller workload, operational disruptions, and has been cited as a contributing factor in safety incidents and near-misses.
The FAA is attempting to "supercharge" hiring through initiatives like increased trainee salaries, streamlined processes, and cash bonuses for hard-to-staff facilities.
Alongside hiring, the DOT and FAA are investing $12.5 billion in modernizing ATC technology and infrastructure, including replacing outdated systems and constructing new facilities.

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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.