Dot's New Plan To Fix Air Traffic Controller Shortage: More Pay, Fewer Early Retirements

FAA plans air traffic control overhaul

After weeks of scrutiny over air traffic control systems, the Trump Administration says it's making plans to overhaul the technology.

• The FAA needs approximately 3,000 more air traffic controllers.
• The Department of Transportation plans to incentivize new hires with increased salaries, bonuses, and additional resources.
• Current controllers nearing retirement age will receive bonuses to delay retirement.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy held a press conference Thursday to outline the agency's plans to boost air traffic controller hiring at the Federal Aviation Administration.

He acknowledged that across the airspace, the FAA is short about 3,000 air traffic controllers, but said the DOT has a roadmap to boost hiring over the next few years, and insisted that air travel remains safe in the meantime.

“We’re hoping in 3-4 years we can get to full staffing, not 20 years,” he said. “How do you make up the gap? We can’t snap our fingers to make up the numbers."

In an effort to boost hiring, Duffy said the agency has streamlined the process to get applicants into the air traffic program at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. Trainees there have historically had a 35% washout rate, according to the secretary, and he said the DOT and FAA have collaborated to reduce this number.

Some of the incentives include a 30% salary increase for new hires, plus a $5,000 bonus for completing the academy. Duffy also said the agency plans to add extra resources for students in an effort to boost their exam pass rates.

Additionally, DOT and the National Association of Air Traffic Controllers, the air traffic controllers' union, struck a deal for further incentives to keep senior controllers in the ranks for longer.

Air traffic controllers have a mandatory retirement age of 56, but Duffy said many eligible controllers were taking early retirement. Duffy said the DOT is now providing bonuses to controllers who are nearing retirement age to stay the full course.

DOT is also offering signing bonuses to controllers who are willing to go to less popular tower locations.

Duffy said he expects these incentives to remain in place for "several years." He added that the department plans to announce air traffic control technology and infrastructure upgrade plans next week.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.