FAA Surpasses 2,000 Air Traffic Controller Hires

FAA reports a major staffing milestone as it steps up hiring and training for the national airspace.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says it surpassed 2,000 new air traffic controller hires in fiscal year 2025, a headline figure that moves the agency toward its 8,900-hire target by 2028. These air traffic controller hires are part of a broader push to ease chronic staffing shortages and shore up operations at major U.S. airports.

Agency officials emphasize that recruitment is only half the work: training and retention are crucial to turning new hires into experienced controllers who can safely manage increasingly busy airspace. Concerns about controller fatigue and operational safety remain part of the public conversation as the FAA balances staffing gains with the time-intensive nature of on-the-job certification.

Why air traffic controller hires matter

Hiring numbers give a snapshot, but the FAA points to multi-year training pipelines that include classroom instruction, simulation, and in-tower or radar facility on-the-job training. Stabilizing staffing levels helps reduce overtime, lowers fatigue risk, and improves system resilience during peak travel periods and weather disruptions. While the 2,000+ hires mark progress, the agency still aims to reach the 8,900 goal by 2028 to meaningfully change staffing dynamics nationwide.

Key figure: 2,000+ air traffic controller hires in fiscal year 2025 toward an 8,900 target by 2028.
Focus areas: recruitment, training, and retention to reduce fatigue and operational risk.
Scope: national effort affecting major U.S. airports and the broader national airspace system.

For travelers and aviation pros, hiring wins are encouraging but incremental. The FAA says steady recruitment and stronger training pipelines are necessary to convert hires into experienced controllers who can reliably manage traffic and safeguard operations across the country.