U.S. — The hiring of more than 2,000 air traffic controllers met 94% of the agency's recruitment goal. An additional 2,000 candidates are in the hiring pipeline for air traffic controller positions.

The Federal Aviation Administration launched a recruitment campaign targeting video gamers in April 2026. A YouTube advertisement for the recruitment campaign featured clips from the video game Fortnite. The recruitment advertisement stated that air traffic controllers earn at least $155,000 after three years of work.

"To reach the next generation of air traffic controllers, we need to adapt," Duffy said. "This campaign’s innovative communication style and focus on gaming taps into a growing demographic of young adults who have many of the hard skills it takes to be a successful controller."

Candidates for air traffic controller training must hold U.S. citizenship. Candidates for air traffic controller training must pass the FAA air traffic pre-employment tests. The Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Controller Academy is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Approximately 2% of applicants successfully become certified air traffic controllers. The vetting and certification process for air traffic controllers takes between two and five years. Approximately 25% of air traffic controllers hold a traditional college degree. Less experienced air traffic controllers at smaller airports earn an average of close to $60,000 per year.

Kivanc Avrenli is a professor of practice in finance at the Syracuse University Whitman School of Management who specializes in aviation safety. Avrenli said he believes recruiting gamers is a reasonable idea, noting that there is simply no ‘undo’ or ‘reset’ button, and it requires sustained attention for several continuous hours.

Avrenli also said that while gaming does not fully replicate the challenges of air traffic control, it is not a quick fix, as training and certifying controllers still take time.

An Air Canada jet struck a fire truck on a runway while landing at LaGuardia Airport in New York earlier in 2026. Authorities are investigating the coordination between air traffic and ground control personnel during the LaGuardia Airport incident. Investigators are probing whether an air traffic controller briefly stepped away to answer an emergency phone call just before the LaGuardia collision.

An air traffic controller involved in the incident said, "We were dealing with an emergency earlier." The controller also said, "I messed up." The Office of Personnel Management launched the Early Career Talent Network in March 2026 for entry-level government workers.

Why It Matters

The Federal Aviation Administration faces a significant staffing shortfall while managing a high volume of daily flights. The agency is 3,500 controllers short of its targeted levels, even as flight reliance on air traffic control systems has risen. The recruitment campaign targets a large demographic of video gamers to address this gap, though the certification process remains lengthy and rigorous.

The hiring effort follows a period where the number of controllers decreased while flight numbers increased. With fewer than 10% of applicants meeting initial requirements, the agency seeks new pathways to fill roles. The recent incident at LaGuardia Airport shows the critical nature of sustained attention and coordination in air traffic control operations.

Timeline

The Federal Aviation Administration hired 1,800 air traffic controllers in 2024. The median annual wage for air traffic controllers was $144,580 in 2024. The Federal Aviation Administration slightly exceeded its goal of hiring 2,000 new controllers in fiscal 2025.

The number of air traffic controllers in the U.S. fell by 6% over the 10 years preceding December 2025. The number of flights relying on air traffic control systems increased by 10% over the 10 years preceding December 2025.

What's New

Fewer than 10% of applicants historically meet the Federal Aviation Administration's requirements to enter the air traffic controller training program. Duffy said, "A lot of what they do playing games.. is what they do.. controlling traffic in the air." Duffy also stated, "We’re building the strongest, sharpest workforce in aviation history." The Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Controller Academy is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Approximately 25% of air traffic controllers hold a traditional college degree. The Federal Aviation Administration is an U.S. government agency regulating civil aviation. The Federal Aviation Administration was established in 1958.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on controller statistics. Federal Aviation Administration hiring statistics state that approximately 2% of applicants successfully become certified air traffic controllers. Federal Aviation Administration workforce demographics state that approximately 25% of air traffic controllers hold a traditional college degree.

Sources differ on hiring and applicant rates. The Federal Aviation Administration annual hiring report states that the Federal Aviation Administration hired 1,800 air traffic controllers in 2024. Federal Aviation Administration hiring statistics state that fewer than 10% of applicants historically meet the Federal Aviation Administration's requirements to enter the air traffic controller training program.

Sources also differ on hiring and applicant rates regarding the recent campaign. The Federal Aviation Administration hiring report states that the Federal Aviation Administration hired more than 2,000 air traffic controllers following an April campaign aimed at recruiting video gamers. Federal Aviation Administration hiring statistics state that fewer than 10% of applicants historically meet the Federal Aviation Administration's requirements to enter the air traffic controller training program.

Sources differ on the staffing shortfall and applicant rates. The U.S. Department of Transportation budget request states that the Federal Aviation Administration is currently 3,500 air traffic controllers short of its targeted staffing levels. Federal Aviation Administration hiring statistics state that fewer than 10% of applicants historically meet the Federal Aviation Administration's requirements to enter the air traffic controller training program.