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The FAA released a new air traffic controller workforce plan on Friday that it claims will erase the longstanding staffing shortage and ensure the safety and operational efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).
The 2026 Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan focuses on modernizing the NAS, expanding the FAA's hiring and optimizing controller efficiency. As of April 2026, approximately 11,000 Certified Professional Controllers (CPCs) were assigned to more than 300 FAA air traffic facilities and there were 4,000 controllers in the training pipeline. The plan has a full staffing target of 12,563 CPCs, which is based on forecasted demand. It aims to hit hiring targets of 2,200, 2,300 and 2,400 new controllers in 2026, 2027 and 2028, respectively. This is a decrease from its previous 2024 agency forecast of 14,633 CPCs."This forward-thinking plan delivers on President Donald J. Trump's promise to provide the American flying public with a world-class air traffic control system, and that starts with highly trained, professional air traffic controllers," said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. "We can't continue to operate the same way and expect better results. We're changing how we hire, train and schedule our controller workforce - and providing them with the state-of-the-art tools they need to succeed."
The FAA also plans to deploy a data-driven controller-staffing model that should more accurately assess when controllers are available for work. The administration claims that deploying modern staffing models and scheduling tools will improve controller staffing efficiency and reduce the need for excessive overtime, which can lead to fatigue and burnout. It will be working with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) to identify and resolve bottlenecks across hiring, training and operations.
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FAA and DOT introduce measure to prevent collisions caused by visual separationThe administration also reaffirmed that it will be working towards modernizing U.S. ATC systems and equipment. It claims it will be using these new technologies to smooth air traffic flow and maximize the use of airspace. Other plans for modernization include expanding advanced simulator-based training for controllers and using AI and machine learning tools to better simulate and manage NAS performance before the day of departure.