DOT Secretary Sean Duffy Announces Plan to ‘Supercharge’ ATC Hiring

After years of warnings about staffing shortages in air traffic control, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced a plan to "supercharge" hiring at the FAA Academy. The initiative aims to speed up the hiring process, increase salaries, and attract more applicants.

The program was unveiled during a visit to the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City. Its goal is to ensure enough trained controllers are keeping American airspace safe—something that has been a challenge for over a decade.

Duffy emphasized that air traffic control is one of the most rewarding careers available, and he’s determined to bring in the “best and brightest.” To make that happen, the FAA is cutting its notoriously slow hiring process from eight steps to five, shaving at least four months off the timeline. Starting salaries for new trainees will jump by up to 30%, and those who score “Well Qualified” on the Air Traffic Skills Assessment Test (ATSA) will be given priority for academy admission. Those who make it through the rigorous training can expect to earn an average of $160,000 within three years.

The urgency behind this push isn’t just bureaucratic efficiency—it's a necessity. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 117 aviation accidents in the first two months of 2025 alone, with 16 of them being fatal. While air traffic control isn’t solely responsible for these incidents, the system’s limitations have been under scrutiny following several near-misses and runway incursions in recent months. Duffy acknowledged that public attention on aviation safety is at an all-time high, which may explain why the administration is moving to address an issue that’s been lingering for years.

The hiring push is one part of a larger plan. Duffy says he, along with the FAA and the Department of Defense, will request $1 billion to update outdated air traffic control systems.

“This staffing shortage has been a known challenge for over a decade, and this administration is committed to solving it,” Duffy explained. “The new streamlined hiring process is just the first step to deliver on President Trump’s agenda to prioritize the American people’s safety and modernize the federal government.”

Applications for air traffic controllers are now open until March 17.

FMI: www.faa.gov/atc-hiring