Raising ATC Retirement Age Not an ‘Effective Solution’ to Shortages, Union Says

National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) disagrees with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s plan to allow controllers to stay longer.

Jack Daleo

Monday, February 10, 2025 at 03:53 PM ET

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Edited By: tccjeremy

The air traffic control tower at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA). [Shutterstock/TJ Brown]

Key Takeaways:

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) deems Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's proposal to extend the mandatory retirement age for air traffic controllers an "ineffective solution" to the severe staffing crisis.
NATCA advocates for a long-term commitment to robust hiring, comprehensive training, and retention of experienced controllers as the true solution to the significant staffing deficit.
The U.S. air traffic control system faces a chronic shortage, with thousands fewer controllers than targeted, a problem highlighted by a recent fatal midair collision.

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The union representing America’s air traffic controllers does not believe Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s proposal to alleviate widespread shortages is an “effective solution.”

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) told FLYING that Duffy—who last week suggested allowing controllers to stay on past the mandatory retirement age of 56 during an interview on Fox News—is missing the mark.