FAA Hiring Blitz Draws 10,000 Air-Traffic Control Candidates: Official

Officials say they are working hard to correct a longstanding shortage of people who play crucial roles in keeping America’s skies safe.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Chris Rocheleau (R), a top executive for an aviation business association, would be the acting head of the Federal Aviation Administration during a news conference with National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy (L) in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington on Jan. 30, 2025. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Efforts to hire more air traffic controllers—following a series of deadly aircraft incidents—are off to a promising start, officials say.

During a hiring window that spanned less than three weeks, 10,000 people applied for these six-figure jobs that are crucial to safe air travel, said Chris Rocheleau, acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“Our focus is to get controllers—the best and the brightest—into the academy and get them out to the facilities as soon as possible,” Rocheleau told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on March 24. “We’re going to keep a close eye on that and make sure that every seat is filled for the upcoming classes.”

The FAA took applications from Feb. 27 to March 17 after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a plan to “supercharge” the hiring of air traffic controllers. That was one of several steps Duffy and other leaders took to respond to escalating concerns over air travel safety. It was unclear when the next hiring window would open.

The FAA told The Epoch Times that interested parties should monitor the agency’s website for an announcement of future hiring campaigns.

Duffy and President Donald Trump, both of whom took office in January, have stated that addressing the longstanding shortage of air traffic controllers is paramount. Duffy also advocates a technological and organizational overhaul of the FAA, saying that the recent accidents and near-misses created a new urgency to correct the deficiencies.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, a labor union and safety group, has estimated that 10,800 people serve as air traffic controllers—and 3,600 more are needed.

A March 21 FAA statement said it has “already qualified and referred more than 8,320 candidates to the aptitude exam” and that nearly 200 candidates who have already passed that exam have moved into the hiring process.

Finding qualified candidates has been a struggle because of the high-stress nature of the job and prolonged, intense training.

Duffy ordered changes that shaved five months off the old hiring pipeline. In addition, candidates who receive the highest test scores will be given priority to enter the FAA’s training academy in Oklahoma City.

The FAA has also increased the starting salary for academy trainees by 30 percent. After completing the academy, trainees go to one of the FAA’s 313 facilities to work with experienced personnel until they earn their certification. Once certified, the average professional earns more than $160,000 per year, the FAA said.

“I’m thrilled to see that early results of air traffic controller hiring supercharge were so promising. By prioritizing a merit-based process, cutting red tape, and increasing starting salaries, we are bringing in the best and brightest across America to help keep our skies secure at record speeds,” Rocheleau said in the March 21 statement.

Airlines for America, an advocacy group, posted messages online thanking Rocheleau, Duffy, and Trump for their “continued perseverance and dedication” to improving air traffic control staffing.

“Progress IS being made toward a brand new air traffic control system!” they said.