Move FM Global News

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. Transportation Department says it is working to fix a significant shortage of air traffic controllers by keeping current staff and hiring more.

The FAA plans to hire 2,000 new trainees this year and will offer a bonus—20 percent of yearly pay—to experienced controllers who stay on past retirement age.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he will ask Congress next week for billions of dollars to upgrade the outdated air traffic control system. A House committee already approved US$12.5 billion through 2029 as a starting point.

Duffy pointed to recent problems like delays in Newark caused by broken equipment and too few staff. He warned that signs of system failure are appearing in many places and urged action before a serious accident occurs.

Concerns grew after a January 29 mid-air collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines plane and a near miss involving a Delta jet and military aircraft.

To help solve the shortage, the FAA will offer $5,000 bonuses to new academy graduates who finish key training steps and other financial incentives to encourage new hires to stay. They will also offer bonuses for jobs in hard-to-fill locations.

Right now, the FAA is short about 3,500 controllers, causing delays and forcing many to work overtime and six-day weeks. Duffy hopes to fix the staffing gap in three to four years. About 35 percent of trainees drop out before finishing.

President Donald Trump said companies like IBM or Raytheon might be chosen to help modernize the air traffic control system.