FAA scrambles to hire 8,900 air traffic controllers by 2028 as shortage reaches crisis levels

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Eastman, GA – A nationwide air traffic controller shortage has put new attention on a growing training option the FAA now approves for certain colleges. Middle Georgia State University is one of the few schools offering the Enhanced AT-CTI pathway, which gives students another route into air traffic control careers as the FAA works to rebuild its workforce.

The recent federal government shutdown highlighted how thin staffing has become, especially as delays and reroutes stacked up across the country. The FAA says it wants to hire at least 8,900 new controllers by 2028. According to FAA workforce data analyzed by USAFacts, about 3,000 controller positions were vacant nationwide as of late 2024 — though not every facility is equally understaffed.