Overview
- The Transportation Department launched a gamer‑focused recruitment drive Friday with a one‑minute YouTube video inviting applications for air traffic control.
- The agency’s annual application window opens at midnight on April 17, giving prospective controllers an immediate chance to apply.
- DOT figures show roughly 11,000 controllers on duty, about 4,000 trainees in the pipeline, and around 1,200 hires so far in 2026 toward a goal to add more than 8,900 by 2028.
- Officials say gaming experience aligns with skills used in the job and note that the role does not require a college degree.
- After a 2025 shutdown forced unpaid shifts and a temporary 10% cut in flights at several major airports, FAA leaders are framing expanded recruiting and training as central to safety.