FAA Faces Challenges in Recruiting and Training New Controllers Amid Staffing Shortages
The FAA is facing an audit by the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, which aims to examine the effectiveness of air traffic controller training programs. The review comes as the FAA tries to reverse a long-running shortage of certified controllers, with retirements, training washouts, and staffing disruptions continuing to hinder efforts. Industry estimates suggest the controller workforce remains thousands short of what is recommended to manage today’s air traffic levels.