FAA cuts target for air traffic control staffing

Key Points:

• The FAA has reduced its target for certified air traffic controllers from 14,633 to 12,563, aiming to modernize scheduling and increase the time controllers spend managing traffic.
• A National Academies report highlighted a 300% increase in overtime costs since 2013, attributed to inefficient workforce allocation and scheduling, despite a 4% rise in air traffic.
• Currently, about 11,000 certified controllers are active, with 4,000 in training, including 1,000 recertifying at new facilities; the FAA plans to modernize scheduling and workforce management systems to improve efficiency.
• Overtime hours per controller have increased to an average of 167 hours annually, with total overtime costs reaching $200 million in 2024, while staffing levels have declined by 13% since 2013 due to under-hiring and training challenges.
• Controllers often face six-day work weeks and mandatory overtime, and the FAA has struggled to implement effective shift scheduling software, exacerbating workforce management issues.