The Federal Aviation Administration is rolling out new financial incentives to attract and retain air traffic controllers amid a growing nationwide staffing crisis that has delayed and canceled flights across the country.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Thursday announced a range of measures aimed at bolstering the controller workforce, including a $5,000 bonus for controller trainees and graduates at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma.
Additional signing bonuses will be offered to those willing to work in less sought-after tower locations, including parts of West Texas and Alaska. Controllers who are eligible for retirement will receive a bonus of 20% of their base pay for each year they continue working.
“If we need to get more controllers in our towers, why don’t we try to incentivize those really well-experienced air traffic controllers?” Duffy said during a press conference Thursday. “Let’s incentivize them to stay. Let’s get them to stay on. Not only do we have that experience, but they can also help train up those younger, newer controllers coming into their facility.”
The FAA said growing the nation’s air traffic controller workforce “is a top priority.” In a statement, the agency added, “Our focus is to get the best and the brightest into the academy and make sure every seat is filled for the upcoming classes.”
The announcements come as passengers continue to face delays and cancellations due in part to the shortage. The FAA is currently short about 3,000 air traffic controllers nationwide, and federal officials warn that the situation is becoming unsustainable.
Thursday was particularly rough for travelers. Flights into Newark Liberty International Airport experienced delays of up to five hours, with many eventually canceled. Two Friday morning United Airlines flights from LAX to Newark were also delayed.
John Darr Lopez, a professional ballroom dancer who frequently travels to competitions, said delays are becoming an unfortunate routine.
“I’m on a different flight every single week. So we deal with flights and flight delays constantly,” he told KTLA’s Carlos Herrera Friday before boarding a flight to Houston. “They do happen a lot. It’s unfortunate. We get pretty lucky sometimes, but once in a while when it does hit us then it’s pretty unfortunate because we are trying to make times.”
While the incentives are a step forward, officials caution that hiring alone won’t resolve the deeper problems. The nation’s air traffic control infrastructure is aging, with 51 out of 138 systems currently labeled as unsustainable — some using components more than 50 years old.
An announcement regarding technology upgrades and infrastructure improvements is expected next week.