U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has exceeded its air traffic controller hiring goal for Fiscal Year 2025, bringing on board 2,026 new employees—surpassing the target of 2,000 set for the period.
Under Secretary Duffy’s leadership, the FAA hired 20% more controllers between January and September 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 under the previous administration. This milestone is part of an ambitious accelerated hiring initiative that aims to onboard at least 8,900 new air traffic controllers by 2028, including more than 2,200 in Fiscal Year 2026.
“Since taking office, I’ve been committed to placing more of America’s best and brightest in our control towers. These latest numbers show that our accelerated efforts are delivering results, and we are following through on that promise,” said Secretary Duffy.
“But our work is far from over. This Department will continue to use every available tool to reverse decades of staffing decline because the American people are counting on us.”
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford expressed his appreciation for Secretary Duffy’s leadership, noting that controllers are being hired at an unprecedented pace:
“These men and women are the ones keeping our skies safe. It’s essential that we invest in their training and development as we build a modern, resilient air traffic system that Americans can trust for decades to come.”
Since February 2025, when the accelerated hiring plans were launched through the FAA Academy, the agency has received more than 10,000 applications, with over 8,300 candidates progressing to aptitude testing. The FAA has also streamlined its hiring process, cutting more than five months off the time required to fill these critical positions.
The agency remains focused on filling every available slot in its rigorous academy and is working to attract top-tier talent, shorten training timelines, retain experienced controllers, and ensure that America’s air traffic professionals have access to the most advanced technology in the world.