FAA Seeks to Hire Nearly 9,000 Air Traffic Controllers by 2028 Amid Staffing Shortage

EASTMAN, Ga. — The Federal Aviation Administration is aiming to hire approximately 8,900 new air traffic controllers by 2028 in response to a nationwide shortage that has reached critical levels, officials said. As of late 2024, about 3,000 controller positions remained vacant across the country, according to FAA workforce data analyzed by USAFacts.

The shortage has intensified concerns about staffing at air traffic control facilities, especially following disruptions during the recent federal government shutdown that led to increased flight delays and reroutes. To address the gap, the FAA has approved an Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program at a limited number of colleges, including Middle Georgia State University.

This Enhanced AT-CTI program offers students a streamlined training pathway that meets FAA standards and allows graduates who pass required assessments and clearances to bypass the traditional FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. Instead, they can proceed directly to facility-specific training and on-the-job certification. This approach aims to reduce wait times and accelerate the entry of qualified controllers into the workforce.

Only about nine schools nationwide have been authorized to offer the Enhanced AT-CTI program as of 2025, according to Kemarie Jeffers, department chair of aviation science and management at Middle Georgia State. Students in the program receive hands-on experience, including training in tower simulators and on-campus control towers, which simulate real airport operations.

Air traffic control student Brooke Graffagnino described the job as intense and demanding, noting that the program helps students quickly determine if they are suited for the role. “It kind of gets your chest beating, because with how much traffic there is, sometimes it is intense,” she said. Graffagnino added that the importance of the work becomes clearer as students learn how controllers manage busy airspace and maintain safety.

The FAA’s efforts to expand and accelerate training through programs like Enhanced AT-CTI reflect the urgency of addressing the staffing shortage to ensure the safety and efficiency of the nation’s air traffic system.