The FAA says it’s now only 1,500 controllers short of full staffing because it’s determined that 12,563 can do the job rather than the 14,633 it said were needed just two years ago. The agency says it can cut the number of controllers it needs with better scheduling, better equipment, and more automation and at the same time “reduce controller workload, stress, and fatigue.” There are now about 11,000 fully certified controllers in the system. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) told AvBrief it was not involved in developing the 2026–2028 Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan that determined those numbers and is now reviewing it after its release late Friday. We’ve copied the plan in full below.
The agency said the changes are the result of findings from the Transportation Research Board (part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine) and are basically a matter of putting appropriately trained controllers where the need is greatest. “We can’t continue to operate the same way and expect better results. We’re changing how we hire, train and schedule our controller workforce—and providing them with the state-of-the-art tools they need to succeed,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford.
The agency said it will work with NATCA “to incorporate the Theory of Constraints (TOC) methodology to identify and resolve impediments that limit the ability of the agency and its controllers to address and balance air traffic demands effectively with workforce constraints and operational needs.” The Theory of Constraints is a management methodology that focuses on fixing the relatively few bottlenecks within complex systems that bog them down. Once a constraint is identified and fixed, another one is tackled in a theoretical state of constant improvement. It’s normally used in business to increase profitability. We’ve asked NATCA to get back to us on its future role in reducing the number of certified controllers required to maintain the same or better level of safety and efficiency in the National Airspace System.
Although it says it needs fewer controllers, the FAA says it wants to expand hiring over the next three years. The agency hired 2,023 new controllers in 2025, but more than half of them will wash out during training. The FAA has set hiring targets for new controller trainees at 2,200, 2,300, and 2,400 for each of the next three years. It will expand collegiate training programs to augment the training it provides at its own academy in Oklahoma City.
The agency says it will get rid of the antiquated equipment now used by the system and replace it with new gear that works better and then it will change the National Airspace System to take advantage of the new capabilities of the updated equipment. “New automation will combine improved safety tools with greater operational visibility, reliability and effectiveness,” the plan predicts. “In addition, the FAA will also advance the design of the NAS and incorporate brand new technologies to enable a safer, more flexible, and scalable airspace system.”
Retiring a decade ago I was concerned about too many controllers operating on too many frequencies, too much combined clearance delivery, ground control and tower, and too much “sorry I was on a land line” kind of stuff. Glad to hear all that has changed now and been rectified by smarter people and higher technology and that you pros all are now home free with respect to adequate ATC staffing. Standing by now from the perch of my arm chair and travel trailer, I’m elated to know 2000 fewer controllers will all work out hunky dory.
Not sure that your travel trailer will be safe, considering the amount of metal that will be raining out of the sky …
Which comes first? The new TBD Hardware and its associated Vaporware or the staffing cuts? Gee, hard to guess.
Or…, will the 2000 ATC FTEs saved be offset by the 2000 IT technicians required to troubleshoot the inevitably buggy TBD Hardware and/or Vaporware?
So… We should Never hear the words, “UNABLE” when requesting Flight Following again….Right ?
Just retired after 50 years of pro flying and working for FAA…. If the FAA said they were buying lunch, I’d bring my wallet !!
Line up and wait!…I’m confused…Can someone explain how an acknowleged, already dangerously understaffed ATC system can solve the obvious controller shortage by taking 2,000 experienced, professional controllers out of the tower and ARTCC and putting them in line behind the wheel of an Uber? Oh…, now I get it! It changes a dangerously understaffed system into a CRITICALLY dangerous, understaffed system?
Nice work guys! It’s like running a hospital…without any doctors. Mercy.
If you post a job opening and no one qualified shows up, then what’s the next step?
In theory, the law of supply and demand would cause wages, benefits, and working conditions to improve until the supply of labor matched the demand.
Asking for a friend. Was Adam Smith familiar with the particularities of the separation of air traffic?
So the solution is to hire more controllers and add more automation equipment, right? And where’s the money in the budget?
Perhaps an unnecessary reflecting-pool paint job? Or maybe a Tru(i)mp(h)ful Arch next to Arlington Cemetery? How’bout we just put a covered pavilion on top of the new bomb-bunker and call it good?
I have been in manufacturing management and now retired for 55 years. TOC has been around and practiced for at least 30 years. This will be another inept approach by the FAA if not implemented properly to rectify their problem. Good luck. I have also flown in this system for 45 years
The figures are confusing to me. Figure 1.1 shows controller headcount 3% above the FY2000 benchmark but the caption says it’s 3% below, and traffic 16% below FY2000, but figure 1.2 shows IFR traffic up and controllers down. And figure 1.3 shows an increase in fully qualified controllers of about 343 by 2028. I can’t make all these different assessments work.