FAA Reports Surge of Air Traffic Controller Applicants

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In efforts to quickly hire air traffic controllers in the US, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has experienced a surge of applications at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, according to a U.S. Travel Association brief.

Of the 10,000 applicants, approximately 7,500 have been referred for testing and potential hiring and more than 190 candidates had already passed the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ASTA) and moved into the hiring process.

The hiring initiative included a 30 percent increase in starting salaries and a streamlined process.

In an interview on CNBC, Chris Rocheleau, Acting Administrator of the FAA stated, “Our focus is to get controllers, the best and the brightest, into the academy and get them out into the facilities as soon as possible. We are going to keep a close eye on that and make sure that every seat is filled for the upcoming classes.”

He added, “By prioritizing a merit-based process, cutting red tape, and increasing starting salaries, we are bringing the best and brightest across America to help keep our skies secure at record speeds.”

Rocheleau’s update came about a month after Sean Duffy, the Secretary of Transportation announced the plan to “supercharge the hiring of air traffic controllers” on February 27, 2025.

After Duffy’s visit to the FAA academy he commented, “I witnessed firsthand the dedication, skill and rigor that our future air traffic controllers bring to their training and the urgent need to do all that we can to recruit more people to join in our shared mission of safety in our skies.”

FAA issued a statement a few days before Rocheleau’s appearance saying that since the last window of applications closed on March 17, the regulator qualified and referred more than 8,320 candidates to ASTA.

ATC staffing became a top priority after the American Airlines mid-air collision with a US Army Black Hawk of the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington Airport (DCA) on January 29, 2025.

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