FAA Aims to Hire 8,900 Air Traffic Controllers by 2028 as College Fast-Track Program Expands

The Federal Aviation Administration has set an ambitious target to hire at least 8,900 new air traffic controllers by 2028 as a growing staffing shortfall puts pressure on the aviation system. Recent operational disruptions during a federal government shutdown underscored how stretched controller staffing has become, with delays and reroutes affecting flights nationwide.

FAA workforce data show roughly 3,000 vacant controller positions across the country in late 2024, though understaffing varies significantly by facility. To help close the gap, interest is rising in the FAA's Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (Enhanced AT‑CTI) — a college pathway that prepares students to the same performance standards expected at the FAA Academy and can accelerate placement into operational facilities.

What the Enhanced AT‑CTI Program Offers

The Enhanced AT‑CTI program brings selected college aviation programs into closer alignment with FAA training objectives. Graduates who are hired and who pass required steps — including the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA), medical and security clearances — may be assigned directly to an operational facility instead of attending the full multi-month FAA Academy course. Regardless, graduates still complete facility-specific on-the-job training and must be certified at their assigned tower or radar center before becoming fully qualified controllers.

As of 2025, only about nine institutions nationwide have been approved to offer the Enhanced AT‑CTI pathway. Schools seeking the designation must upgrade curricula, employ instructors with air traffic control experience, and maintain simulator equipment comparable to FAA standards. New audio and video systems also allow FAA personnel to remotely review or spot-check training sessions to ensure federal standards are met.

Middle Georgia State: A Case Study

Middle Georgia State received Enhanced AT‑CTI approval in mid-2024 and immediately saw a jump in enrollment. "Before our program had maybe about 17 to 20 students. Right now we have 54," said Kemarie Jeffers, department chair of aviation science and management. The school upgraded its simulator environment and installed new audiovisual systems to match FAA expectations.

Student trainees describe the work as intense but rewarding. "It kind of gets your chest beating, because with how much traffic there is, sometimes it is intense," said air traffic control student Brooke Graffagnino. She added that training quickly reveals who is well suited for the role: "You can kind of tell who does not [love it]. There have been quite a few, and they are no longer here. It takes a lot to get through it." Graffagnino emphasized the safety role of controllers in crowded airspace: "When you're approaching larger airports like Atlanta, you need someone to coordinate and keep everything separate and safe."

Training progresses from simpler exercises to complex scenarios that require managing many aircraft simultaneously. Before graduation, each student must pass a final simulation that mirrors the FAA Academy's evaluation process, graded with the same standards they would face at the Academy.

Hiring Outlook and Challenges

The FAA's FY 2025 Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan projects roughly 2,000 hires in FY 2025 and about 2,200 in FY 2026, with additional incremental increases through 2028. However, the agency also expects retirements and attrition to offset much of that growth, making sustained recruitment and efficient training pathways imperative.

The Enhanced AT‑CTI pathway is not a complete replacement for the Academy, but it represents a promising approach to expand the pipeline of qualified controllers more quickly by leveraging partnerships with selected colleges. Continued investments in training infrastructure, experienced instructors, and recruitment will be necessary to meet the FAA's goals and strengthen the resilience of the nation's air traffic system.