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February 2025: Earlier this year, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced legislation aimed at addressing the ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers that has contributed to widespread flight delays and staffing challenges across the aviation industry.
Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Jerry Moran (R-KS) proposed a bill that would allocate $100 million over five years for tower simulators at Air Traffic Control (ATC) facilities nationwide. This funding is intended to help reduce the time required to certify new air traffic controllers by as much as 27%. The initiative also seeks to enhance training infrastructure, improve recruitment and retention strategies, and strengthen the overall pipeline for air traffic controller candidates.
At the time of the proposal, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was reported to be approximately 3,500 controllers short of its targeted staffing levels representing a 10% decline from workforce numbers in 2012. Many facilities were relying on mandatory overtime and extended workweeks to meet operational demands.
In addition to the simulator funding, the bill included up to $100 million for collegiate training programs, as well as measures to support controller mental health and workplace stability.
This legislation followed a separate proposal from then President Joe Biden in March 2025, which called for $8 billion over five years to modernize over 20 outdated air traffic control facilities and upgrade nearly 400 critical radar systems. At that time, it was noted that roughly 25% of FAA facilities were more than 50 years old.
The staffing crisis has also prompted broader reviews within the Department of Transportation. In the wake of a tragic helicopter plane collision in January 2025, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy indicated he was reassessing policies that allow for reduced staffing at airports. Duffy announced plans to expand training efforts and potentially introduce incentives to retain retirement-eligible controllers, including consideration of raising the mandatory retirement age (currently 56).
Industry leaders have also urged Congress to provide “robust emergency funding” to help address both technology and personnel shortfalls in the aviation sector.
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