FAA Says Student Transportation Is Critical to Controller Training

Agency plans sole-source shuttle contract as controller hiring drives higher training volume.

Matt Ryan

Monday, September 07, 2026 at 03:56 PM ET

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Matt Ryan

[Credit: FAA]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA plans to award a single-source contract to Airport Express for student transportation at its Oklahoma City academy to prevent disruptions in air traffic controller training.
This transportation service is deemed integral to maintaining the training pipeline and addressing staffing shortages, as interruptions could delay graduation and training progression.
Airport Express was chosen for its established routes, cleared workforce, and experience with FAA Academy schedules and security requirements.
The contract is a temporary measure while the FAA evaluates future transportation capacity, costs, and competitive options.

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The FAA says transportation for students at its Oklahoma City academy has become integral to keeping the agency’s air traffic controller training pipeline moving as it increases hiring to address staffing shortages. According to an FAA notice, the agency plans to award Airport Express a single-source contract to carry students between designated lodging properties and the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center.

The FAA said interruptions in the service could delay scheduled training, disrupt simulator and classroom progression and affect graduation timelines. The agency said Airport Express already has established routes, a cleared workforce and experience coordinating transportation around FAA Academy training schedules and security requirements.

The contract is intended as a temporary approach while the FAA reassesses transportation capacity, costs and opportunities for future competition. The notice was posted Aug. 31, and the deadline for questions is Sept. 7.

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