A groundbreaking initiative from the Trump administration aims to increase air traffic controller salaries by 30%, potentially transforming the aviation sector’s safety and recruitment processes. This initiative, announced by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, seeks to resolve staffing shortages and modernize outdated technology. Will Congress support this essential funding to revitalize airborne safety and efficiency?
Addressing Safety Concerns with Enhanced Salaries
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed steps to counter recent air safety incidents and the persistent staffing shortages. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to attract aspiring air traffic controllers by raising the pay rate by 30% for FAA training academy attendees. Duffy’s proposal leads to a potential average annual salary of $160,000 for certified controllers, making the role more attractive to new graduates.
JUST IN: The Department of Transportation has released a plan to "supercharge" the hiring of new highly-skilled Air Traffic Controllers.
– 30% pay raise for candidates who begin at the academy in Oklahoma.
– Reduce the 8-step hiring process to 5 steps, which will accelerate… pic.twitter.com/WllvfayEIT— George (@BehizyTweets) February 27, 2025
Current shortages have led to flight delays as controllers are overworked, sometimes taking on six-day weeks. FAA staffing is 10% lower than in 2012, with a deficit of about 3,500 fully certified controllers. Addressing this deficit greatly benefits air travel’s reliability and efficiency.
Bipartisan Support for Emergency Funding
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has called for new funding to boost air traffic control staffing, accelerate training, and provide reasonable incentives for aviation workers. This support aligns with requests from aviation sector leaders for robust emergency funding for advanced air traffic control technology and increased staffing. The initiative underscores the importance of Congress’s role in addressing the aviation industry’s significant challenges.
🚨Update: Help Wanted! Air traffic controllers may get 30 percent pay raise as President Trump prioritizes recruitment boost! President considers using Military air traffic controllers to fill gap! pic.twitter.com/CGxDmhb9nE
— US Homeland Security News (@defense_civil25) February 28, 2025
“U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Thursday the Trump administration will take steps to boost air traffic controller hiring after a series of recent safety incidents again raised questions about a persistent staffing shortage” – U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
The FAA also proposes increasing trainees’ hourly wages from $17.61 to $22.84, making it more competitive against other types of employment and offering a sustainable career pathway.
The Call for Modernizing Control Tower Technologies
Over 90% of U.S. air traffic control facilities are understaffed, with many control towers in disrepair. The lack of current technology, like outdated rotary phones, increases maintenance costs without imminent replacement. A coalition of aviation experts, including major airline CEOs, has supported Duffy’s plan, recognizing it as a crucial step to ensure a safer, more efficient aviation system.
The Trump administration’s initiative also suggests potential collaborative efforts, like bringing retired controllers back to mitigate skills shortages, further emphasized by Elon Musk’s recent call for such actions. A recent near-collision incident in Chicago heightened the urgency, with the National Transportation Safety Board now involved in investigations.
Sources:
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/28/us-transport-chief-seeks-to-boost-air-traffic-control-hiring.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/27/us/politics/air-traffic-control-trainees-raise.html