US DoT secretary vows to ‘supercharge’ hiring of air traffic controllers
March 1, 2025
The US government has announced a push to accelerate the hiring of air traffic controllers.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled the initiative following a visit to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Academy at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center.
He claimed the DoT would “supercharge” the hiring process.
The FAA opened its hiring window on 27 February, and it will run to 17 March, with an improved application process and reduced costs for training.
The plan includes a 30% increase in starting salaries for academy trainees, who will now receive priority placement if they achieve a “Well Qualified” score on the Air Traffic Skills Assessment Test.
The recruitment process will also be streamlined from eight steps to five, cutting more than four months from the previous hiring timeline.
Successful trainees will be placed in air traffic control towers or other facilities nationwide, where they will work alongside experienced controllers to gain certification.
“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. I witnessed firsthand the dedication, skill, and rigour that our future air traffic controllers bring to their training and the urgent need to do all that we can to recruit more people to join in our shared mission of safety in our skies,” said Duffy.
“This staffing shortage has been a known challenge for over a decade, and this administration is committed to solving it. The new streamlined hiring process is just the first step to deliver on President Trump’s agenda to prioritise the American people’s safety and modernise the federal government.”
