In efforts to quickly hire air traffic controllers in the
US, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has experienced a surge of
applications at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, according to a U.S. Travel
Association brief.
Of the 10,000 applicants, approximately 7,500 have been
referred for testing and potential hiring and more than 190 candidates had
already passed the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ASTA) and moved into the
hiring process.
The hiring initiative included a 30 percent increase in
starting salaries and a streamlined process.
In an interview on CNBC, Chris Rocheleau, Acting
Administrator of the FAA stated, “Our focus is to get controllers, the best
and the brightest, into the academy and get them out into the facilities as
soon as possible. We are going to keep a close eye on that and make sure that
every seat is filled for the upcoming classes.”
He added, “By prioritizing a merit-based process, cutting
red tape, and increasing starting salaries, we are bringing the best and
brightest across America to help keep our skies secure at record speeds.”
Rocheleau’s update came about a month after Sean Duffy, the
Secretary of Transportation announced the plan to “supercharge the hiring
of air traffic controllers” on February 27, 2025.
After Duffy’s visit to the FAA academy he commented, “I
witnessed firsthand the dedication, skill and rigor 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.”
FAA issued a statement a few days before Rocheleau’s
appearance saying that since the last window of applications closed on March
17, the regulator qualified and referred more than 8,320 candidates to ASTA.
ATC staffing became a top priority after the American
Airlines mid-air collision with a US Army Black Hawk of the Potomac River near
Ronald Reagan Washington Airport (DCA) on January 29, 2025.
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