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Trump Administration Takes Steps to Address Air Traffic Controller Shortage
In response to the recent uptick in aviation incidents, the Trump administration has unveiled a new initiative aimed at bolstering the ranks of air traffic controllers. On Thursday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made the announcement during a visit to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) academy located at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City.
To enhance recruitment, the government plans to offer a 30% salary increase for new academy graduates and will streamline the hiring process from an eight-step to a five-step procedure. Duffy estimates that this change could reduce the hiring timeline by approximately four months.
“This staffing shortage has been a known challenge for over a decade, and this administration is committed to solving it,” Duffy stated. “The new streamlined hiring process is just the first step to deliver on President Trump’s agenda to prioritize safety for the American people and modernize the federal government.”
The application window for prospective air traffic controllers will remain open until March 17. Candidates who score highest on the skills assessment will be prioritized for training at the academy.
In 2024, former President Joe Biden enacted a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that mandates the agency to hire at maximum capacity at its training academy for the next five years. This law aims to bolster recruitment and retention efforts and improve overall operational capacity.
The FAA successfully filled its air traffic controller hiring objectives in fiscal 2024, adding 1,811 new hires to its workforce.
Elon Musk, a centibillionaire and key figure in the administration’s cost-reduction strategies, voiced his concerns on his social media platform X about the shortage of skilled air traffic controllers. He encouraged retired controllers to consider returning to the profession.
An external panel established after a series of aviation incidents in 2023 revealed critical staffing shortages and heavy reliance on overtime within the FAA, which were compromising the safety of the national airspace. According to the National Airspace System Safety Review Team, record-high overtime usage was leading to increased absenteeism, decreased productivity, and elevated fatigue among controllers.
A recent New York Times analysis highlighted that over 90% of U.S. air traffic control facilities are functioning below the staffing levels recommended by the FAA.
In parallel to these staffing changes, the FAA undertook a significant reduction of its workforce, terminating between 200 and 300 probationary employees, which included various support roles such as maintenance mechanics and aviation safety assistants.
Following the leadership transition with the Trump administration, former FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker stepped down before completing his five-year term. As of now, a permanent successor has yet to be nominated by the president.
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