We’ve still not recovered from 2020/2021 air traffic control losses.
We need 1) aggressive hiring at good wages and 2) an apology to flyers for the last few years
Many trips have been a crapshoot and it’s ridiculous. https://t.co/srqTl0lSeF
FAA Offers $5,000 Bonuses, Targets 3,000 Controller Shortage at Mike Monroney Center Under Trump Administration
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is implementing new financial incentives to address a nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers, following a series of aviation crashes and multi-day delays at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced measures including a $5,000 bonus for new hires and academy graduates at the Mike Monroney Center in Oklahoma City, a $10,000 award for graduates assigned to hard-to-staff facilities, and a lump-sum payment equal to 20% of base pay for experienced controllers who delay retirement. The FAA is raising the mandatory retirement age and encouraging military controllers to transition to civilian roles. The academy has a 35% washout rate, and a 30% starting salary increase has been introduced.
The shortage, estimated at about 3,000 controllers, has led to Newark Airport experiencing delays for at least six consecutive days, with average delays of over three hours, high rates of cancellations and diversions, and United Airlines canceling 35 round-trip flights per day. The FAA recently moved Newark's control facility from Long Island to Philadelphia to attract new hires, and Secretary Duffy visited Philly International Airport after recent equipment issues at Newark.
The FAA aims to hire at least 2,000 controllers this year and reach full staffing within three to four years. The agency, under the Trump administration, is also planning to build a new air traffic control infrastructure system to address ongoing technology and staffing issues.
