FAA revs up air traffic controller hire drive as Musk pleads retirees to return 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is to “supercharge” efforts to recruit more air traffic controllers as the US attempts to address a long-running shortage of staff. 

On February 27, 2025, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy declared that the country wants the “best and brightest” to be fast tracked into the FAA’s academy at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center. 

Secretary Duffy said: “This administration is committed to solving the air traffic control shortage that has existed for too long. Thanks to our dedicated air traffic controllers and top FAA Academy grads, flying remains the safest way to travel. I am committed to restoring the FAA’s mission to safety and asking for more great candidates to join us.” 

Duffy explained that, under a new streamlining plan, the eight-step hiring process at the FAA would become a five-step process and that the agency would be increasing pay for those training.  

Duffy said: “This will accelerate the time-to-hire for these critical positions by shaving more than four months off the old process.” 

Backing the recruitment drive, Elon Musk, who has taken a personal interest in fixing aviation safety in the US, pleaded with retired air traffic controllers to return. 

Writing on social media, the SpaceX owner said: “There is a shortage of top-notch air traffic controllers. If you have retired, but are open to returning to work, please consider doing so.” 

There is a shortage of top notch air traffic controllers. If you have retired, but are open to returning to work, please consider doing so.— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 27, 2025 Secretary Duffy visited the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center for a tour and met with FAA officials and academy students to highlight the critical role that air traffic controllers play. 

Secretary Duffy commented: “Today’s visit reaffirmed how being an air traffic controller is one of the best, most rewarding jobs in America, and that the next generation at the Academy is the best in the world. I witnessed firsthand the dedication, skill, and rigor that our future air traffic controllers bring to their training and the urgent need to do all that we can to recruit more people to join in our shared mission of safety in our skies.”   

The FAA announced that, in support of President Trump’s priority of keeping citizens safe in aviation, it would recruit staff on a merit-based process with candidates receiving the highest score of ‘Well Qualified’ on their Air Traffic Skills Assessment Test (ATSA) given priority for the academy. 

Salaries would also be increased by 30% for candidates who go to the academy. The average certified professional controller makes over $160,000 per year. 

Concerns that a lack of air traffic controllers have led to a spate of safety incidents in the US have been heightened after a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Eagle Bombardier CRJ700 crashed midair on January 25, 2025.  

The incident, which occurred at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), resulted in the deaths of 67 people. 

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