ISSUES
30
NiW Today NATCA in Washington 2026
Issue
Staffing and Training Challenges Persist
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Quick Reference
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Air.traffic.controller.staffing.and.training.continue.to.be.critical.areas.of.concern.as.
the.FAA.remains.near.a.30-year.low.for.Certified.Professional.Controllers.(CPCs).
Controller.staffing.levels.had.a.significant.effect.on.the.system.during.the.
recent.43-day.government.shutdown..Nevertheless,.controllers.continued.to.
show.up.and.step.up.for.the.American.flying.public.and.each.other,.despite.
operating.the.system.3,800.controllers.short.of.the.FAA's.staffing.target.
The.FAA.Reauthorization.Act.of.2024.contained.many.of.NATCA's.top.legislative.
priorities..By.law,.the.FAA.must.conduct.maximum.hiring.of.new.air.traffic.
controller.trainees.and.adopt.the.Collaborative.Resource.Workgroup's.controller.
staffing.model.as.the.basis.for.its.annual.Controller.Workforce.Plan.
How This Issue Affects NATCA Members
Air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals are dedicated and highly skilled workers who take
great pride in keeping the traveling public safe. All too often, they are forced to shoulder the burden of chronically
understaffed facilities. Controllers at the most critically understaffed facilities work mandatory overtime, including
six-day workweeks and 10-hour days. Moreover, chronic understaffing of controllers has contributed to flight
delays, interruptions to air traffic service, and decreased system capacity because controllers are not always able
to provide the type of service the flying public deserves. We must continue to improve the hiring, training, and
placement of controllers throughout the National Airspace System (NAS).
