The Federal Aviation Administration announced Monday its intention to recruit 2,300 new air traffic controller trainees in an effort to combat ongoing staffing challenges that have plagued the agency.
Currently, the FAA operates with approximately 3,500 fewer fully certified air traffic controllers than its target staffing requirements. As of late September, the agency employed 13,164 controllers, representing a 6% decline compared to staffing levels from ten years ago. The shortage has forced numerous controllers to work required overtime shifts and six-day work schedules, while the FAA’s training academy for air traffic control continues to struggle with high student dropout rates.
