FAA cuts target for air traffic control staffing

The Federal Aviation Administration has reduced its official target for certified air traffic controllers from 14,633 to 12,563 as part of a broader effort to modernize staffing and reduce reliance on heavy overtime. Currently, the FAA has around 11,000 certified controllers working across more than 300 facilities, with about 4,000 additional trainees in the pipeline (including some previously certified controllers returning for retraining). The agency is dealing with long-standing staffing shortages that have led to mandatory overtime, six-day work weeks, and high workload pressure in many locations. According to a National Academies of Sciences report, overtime costs for controllers have risen dramatically—reaching over $200 million in 2024, a 300%+ increase since 2013. Controllers are now averaging about 167 overtime hours per year, while overall staffing has fallen by roughly 13% over the past decade. The report also noted that inefficiencies in scheduling and workforce allocation have reduced the time controllers spend actively managing air traffic, despite a modest increase in overall air traffic. The FAA says it plans to fix these issues by introducing modern scheduling systems and improving workforce management, aiming to use existing staff more efficiently while reducing overtime pressure.