U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and the Federal Aviation Administration unveiled a new campaign to accelerate hiring and retention of air traffic controllers, addressing chronic workforce shortages. The package offers financial incentives up to $10,000 for new hires and targets 2,000 hires this year alone.
This builds on Duffy’s February supercharge program, which streamlined the FAA’s hiring process from eight steps to five, cutting timelines by five months and advancing over 8,320 candidates through the Air Traffic Skills Assessment aptitude exam.
Retention measures include a limited-time incentive with lump-sum payments equaling 20 percent of basic pay per year for eligible controllers delaying retirement past age 56. New hires receive $5,000 upon completing initial qualification training, doubling to $10,000 for assignment to 13 hard-to-staff facilities.
Hiring enhancements prioritize top ATSA scorers for the Oklahoma City Academy, now bolstered by expanded instructors, teaching assistants, and a new Learning Center. Veterans gain on-the-spot hiring at preferred high-pay sites like Level 9 TRACONs, bypassing standard processes.
Streamlined medical and security clearances prevent year-long delays for qualified candidates. The Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative expands direct facility placements post-graduation, matching Academy curricula.
These steps counter ongoing shortages that have strained U.S. airspace operations amid rising air travel demand. Compared to prior efforts, the 30 percent trainee salary hike and NATCA-agreed incentives position the FAA to rebuild its 14,000-controller workforce faster than in recent years.
For airlines, faster controller onboarding reduces delays and supports fleet growth in a market facing 4 percent annual traffic increases.