Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled a sweeping package of incentives on Thursday to tackle America’s chronic air traffic controller shortage, pledging to “supercharge” the hiring and retention pipeline and close a 3,000-controller staffing gap.
Flanked by the heads of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), Duffy announced the latest measures at a May 1 press conference in Washington. He described the incentives as a major step toward reversing staffing shortfalls and easing the strain on the country’s overstretched air traffic workforce.
While the United States currently has enough certified controllers to maintain safety, Duffy said, the system is operating under significant stress, with many controllers working six-day weeks and mandatory overtime. The aim of the package, he said, is not only to keep operations running smoothly but to reduce pressure on current staff and accelerate the onboarding of recruits….