The FAA on Wednesday released its updated plan to hire air traffic controllers over the next 10 years. According to the FAA, it will hire and train more than 15,000 controllers over the next decade, starting with nearly 1,400 new controllers this year. Instead of listing a fixed optimum staffing number for each of the FAA’s 314 facilities, as in the past, the new plan provides a range of numbers to give the agency greater flexibility. “Air traffic levels are very dynamic,” said FAA Administrator Marion Blakey. “It is critical that we staff facilities based on actual and forecasted traffic demands. We are confident that the new controller hires will be able to meet the needs of the future.” The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) was quick to dispute the plan. The FAA is not staffing to match traffic needs, but “simply staffing to budget,” said air traffic controller union spokesman Doug Church. That’s not what is needed to safely run the National Airspace System, he said. “The FAA’s hiring plan is three years too late in arriving,” he added. NATCA President Patrick Forrey will testify tomorrow before the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation and will address these issues, Church said. During a Wednesday-morning speech, Blakey disputed NATCA’s views on controller staffing and hiring.
FAA Reveals 10-Year Controller Hiring Plan
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA released an updated 10-year plan to hire over 15,000 air traffic controllers, starting with nearly 1,400 this year, utilizing flexible staffing ranges based on dynamic traffic demands.
- The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) quickly disputed the plan, claiming it prioritizes budget over actual traffic needs and safety, and is three years too late.
- NATCA stated its president would testify before the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation to address their concerns regarding controller staffing and hiring.
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