U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy yesterday unveiled an initiative to accelerate the hiring of air traffic controllers after a recent visit to the FAA Academy at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City. With a streamlined process, the new hiring plan is designed to be more efficient and accessible for candidates.

Under the effort, the FAA is opening its hiring window for air traffic controllers from February 27 through March 17. NBAA, AOPA, and NATA are among the several aviation organizations expressing support for the initiative.

“The U.S. is the world leader in aviation safety, and we thank Secretary Duffy for this focused plan to ensure we have the air traffic controllers needed to bolster the controller workforce, and enhance the safety and efficiency of the nation’s airspace,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen.

The revamped hiring process includes a five-step procedure, reducing the time-to-hire by more than four months compared to the previous eight-step process. In addition to streamlining recruitment, the plan also introduces several key incentives such as 30% higher starting salaries for air traffic controller trainees and FAA Academy priority admission for candidates with the highest scores on the air traffic skills assessment test.

“Today’s visit reaffirmed how being an air traffic controller is one of the best, most rewarding jobs in America, and that the next generation at the academy is the best in the world,” Duffy said during the tour of the FAA Academy. “This staffing shortage has been a known challenge for over a decade, and this administration is committed to solving it.”

ATC applicants must meet stringent hiring requirements, in addition to passing the skills assessment. They must possess U.S. citizenship, fluent English speaking skills, and at least one year of full-time work experience or a year of higher education (or a combination of these). They also have to meet physical and mental fitness standards and must be younger than 31 before the application period closes.

“Ensuring a strong pipeline of highly skilled air traffic controllers is essential for maintaining the safety and efficiency of our airspace system,” said AOPA president and CEO Darren Pleasance. “The efforts announced today—from higher starting salaries to streamlining the hiring process—will make this exciting career path more accessible. A well-staffed and well-trained controller workforce benefits all segments of aviation, from general aviation to commercial operators, and we look forward to seeing the impact of these changes.”

Once trainees complete the FAA Academy, they will be assigned to towers or other facilities across the U.S. to work alongside experienced controllers. The average certified professional controller earns more than $160,000 within three years of graduation, making this career path one of the most financially rewarding in the aviation industry.

“Investing in measures that foster a uniform, dynamic safety culture with a pipeline of well-qualified air traffic control professionals will be key to not only sustaining the safety of the NAS but also preparing for continuous growth,” said NATA president and CEO Curt Castagna. 

This praise was echoed in a joint statement by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman Sam Graves (R-Missouri) and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee ranking member Rick Larsen (D-Washington). “In the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, signed into law last year, we included important provisions to ensure the FAA maximizes air traffic control hiring,” they said. “Those and other needed safety provisions in the law must be implemented, in addition to today’s welcome announcement by Secretary Duffy.”