Trending Now - FAA Revises Air Traffic Controller Hiring Goals Amid Staffing Concerns

WHO:

CNN - FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated the agency is changing how it hires, trains, and schedules its controller workforce.

CNN - Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced initiatives to improve air traffic controller hiring.

WHAT:

CNN - The FAA announced a reduction in the required number of Certified Professional Controllers from 14,633 to 12,563 for the 2026 - 2028 Workforce Plan.

CNN - The FAA currently employs approximately 11,000 certified controllers.

CNN - There are 4,000 trainees in the pipeline for air traffic controller positions.

CNN - The FAA's plan indicates a need to recruit 2,200 candidates in 2026, 2,300 in 2027, and 2,400 in 2028.

Fox News - The FAA unveiled a workforce overhaul to address chronic air traffic controller shortages and excessive overtime.

WHERE:

CNN - The FAA operates across U.S. airspace.

WHEN:

CNN - The FAA's Workforce Plan was published in 2024.

CNN - The FAA's hiring goals for the years 2026, 2027, and 2028 were specified.

WHY:

CNN - The FAA has faced a shortage of controllers for years, leading to mandatory overtime and air travel delays.

CNN - The FAA aims to improve operational efficiency and attract new controllers through a new air traffic control system.

HOW:

CNN - The FAA plans to use modern staffing models and automated scheduling tools to manage flights with fewer controllers.

CNN - The FAA will assess controller availability for operational duties using a data-driven staffing model.

(UPDATED May 15, 2026 23:18 UTC)

The FAA is implementing a significant workforce overhaul to tackle ongoing air traffic controller shortages, with plans to reduce the number of Certified Professional Controllers from 14,633 to 12,563 in its 2026 to 2028 Workforce Plan. To meet this goal, the agency aims to recruit 2,200 new candidates in 2026, 2,300 in 2027, and 2,400 in 2028, while currently employing around 11,000 certified controllers and having 4,000 trainees in the pipeline. This initiative, announced by FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, will utilize modern staffing models and automated scheduling tools to enhance operational efficiency and attract new talent.