Transportation

FAA Cuts Controller Staffing Target on New Efficiency Plans

An FAA air traffic control tower outside Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia.
Photographer: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg

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By Allyson Versprille

May 15, 2026 at 6:08 PM UTC

Updated on

May 15, 2026 at 8:45 PM UTC

The US Federal Aviation Administration is cutting its overall staffing target for air traffic controllers by about 2,000 people, saying it can make do with fewer personnel through technology and scheduling improvements over the coming years.

The regulator, in its air traffic controller workforce plan for fiscal years 2026 through 2028 released on Friday, said the new full staffing target is 12,563 certified professional controllers, down from a prior target of 14,633.