Story perspectives

FAA to Hire 7,000 Controllers, Deploy AI-Powered Digital Network

5/16/2026

Summary

Bedford Unveils HiringPlan

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced a 2026-2028 plan to raise air traffic controllers to 12,563, hiring 2,200 in FY 2026, 2,300 in FY 2027, and 2,400 in FY 2028.
About 4,000 trainees are in the pipeline, with certification taking up to two years.
The plan will replace analog infrastructure with a digital network, employ AI tools for traffic management, cut overtime via automated scheduling, funded by $6 billion of the $12.5 billion upgrade budget.

Summary

FAA Overtime Surge

Overtime costs for FAA air traffic controllers have risen over 300% since 2013, topping $200 million in 2024.
Controllers now work six-day weeks with mandatory overtime, a fatigue-driven schedule linked by the National Academies to more near-miss incidents and to the $200 million overtime surge.
The 2025 shutdown caused 400-500 trainees to quit, while under 2% of applicants meet eligibility requirements and finish the FAA’s training.

Summary

FAA Cuts Staffing

The FAA reduced its controller staffing projection by more than 2,000, setting a new target of 12,563 controllers.
The cut results from efficiency gains achieved through revamped scheduling that increase controllers’ active-duty time and cut overtime demand.
Administrator Bryan Bedford said the plan modernizes hiring, training and equips controllers with state-of-the-art tools.
The review gained urgency after the January 2025 midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport that killed 67 people.

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Bedford Unveils HiringPlan

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced a 2026-2028 plan to raise air traffic controllers to 12,563, hiring 2,200 in FY 2026, 2,300 in FY 2027, and 2,400 in FY 2028.
About 4,000 trainees are in the pipeline, with certification taking up to two years.
The plan will replace analog infrastructure with a digital network, employ AI tools for traffic management, cut overtime via automated scheduling, funded by $6 billion of the $12.5 billion upgrade budget.

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