In the wake of the recent government shutdown in the United States, the FAA is looking to boost hiring of air traffic controllers. As reported by Fox News, the FAA has recently approved a new training pathway to make it easier for individuals to become air traffic controllers, with the ultimate goal to hire nearly 9,000 air traffic controllers by 2028, just three years away.
The government shutdown from October 1 to November 12 was the longest in the country’s history, and it highlighted the long-existing staffing crisis in the US’s control towers. ATC towers have been understaffed for years, and many controllers called out during the shutdown as they simply couldn’t afford to come to work for no pay.
Boosting Air Traffic Controller Hiring
The FAA intends to hire at least 8,900 new air traffic controllers by 2028, which would significantly improve the staffing situation in most control towers. The job of an air traffic controller is intense and demanding, and the responsibilities of controllers mean that requirements have to be strict. At the same time, there are ways to boost hiring.
Interest is increasing in a new FAA pathway program. The Enhanced AT-CTI program allows students at select colleges to undergo training comparable to that at the FAA Academy in parallel with standard courses. Should a student successfully pass their courses, they can then apply for a job. If the student is hired and passes the Air Traffic Skills Assessment, along with the medical and security clearance checks, they can then proceed to facility-specific training and become certified on the job.
The Enhanced AT-CTI program is currently only available at nine colleges, but the program is gaining traction. It allows applicants to essentially skip academy training since they receive equivalent training in college, which not only increases the number of hireable applicants by shortening training times, but also entices more people to pursue this career path. With the FAA’s new push for more hiring, the program is sure to expand to more schools if it proves successful.
The Impact Of The Government Shutdown On Air Traffic Controllers
Air traffic controllers are federal employees, and when the government closed its doors for 43 days in October and November, every single controller was left without a paycheck. However, air traffic controllers are considered essential workers and were still required to show up for work, essentially working for free.
While federal workers are receiving retroactive pay, this was a situation that many employees could not afford. While the impact was initially minimal, many controllers began calling out as the shutdown dragged on. With many towers already understaffed, this dramatically worsened the staffing situation in the country, leading to long delays, flight cancellations, and even an FAA-mandated cut in commercial flight activity.
The order reducing flights has since been lifted, but what’s clear is that the current system is dysfunctional. When towers are already operating with lean staff, an event like a prolonged government shutdown can cripple US skies. This has directly exposed the staffing shortage to the public, and after years of signs that there are too few air traffic controllers, the FAA is making a publicized effort to counter it.
Why Are Air Traffic Controller Trainees Getting A Raise?
Becoming an air traffic controller involves a rigorous and demanding process that requires extensive training and certification.
The Shortage Of Air Traffic Controllers In The US
The United States has long been short of qualified air traffic controllers. It’s estimated that there are roughly 3,000 vacant positions in the country, and it’s common to see six-day workweeks as well as mandatory overtime at the country’s busiest airfields. The lean operation means that even a single call-out can severely disrupt tower operations.
The state of the ATC system in the US has gotten so poor that Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated in May 2025 that flights between New York and Atlanta take longer today than 75 years ago. Not only are the skies busier than ever and the towers relatively empty, but controllers are often working with outdated equipment.
The hiring push is meant to solve the staffing problem, but the fact remains that becoming an air traffic controller remains a difficult profession with long hours, high stress, along with a long training timeline that can take years. It remains to be seen whether the FAA will be able to effectively address these issues, although the Enhanced AT-CTI program is a solid start.