Transport Secretary Sean Duffy announced plans to raise the mandatory retirement age for air traffic controllers from 56 to 61.
In a discussion on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” host Kristen Welker inquired whether Duffy had requested Congress to support this age extension. Duffy clarified that Congress had already given him the green light to implement this change.
When asked if he was in favor of raising the retirement age, Duffy affirmed his support, stating “100%.”
This adjustment comes amid ongoing challenges with the current shortage of air traffic controllers. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has around 14,000 controllers on staff, but there remains a deficit of about 3,000, despite 1,800 individuals still employed from last year, as noted by the Associated Press.
The AP further highlighted that the high-stress nature of these jobs contributes to their turnover rates, which complicates efforts to fill open positions.
Duffy mentioned that controllers can retire after 25 years, which has led to many retiring early. To address this, he proposed offering bonuses as an incentive. “I suggested, ‘Let’s provide these top controllers with a 20% advance bonus to encourage them to keep working. Don’t retire—serve your country,'” he explained.
“These changes aren’t quick fixes,” Duffy acknowledged, noting that bridging the gap of 3,000 will take time—potentially one or two years with a mix of experienced and newer staff.
Becoming an air traffic controller is quite demanding. The AP reported that most candidates are trained at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma, but roughly a third of recruits don’t complete the program. Some gain experience through military service or higher education. Final training, which can take two to three years, involves working in developmental roles at airport towers and radar centers, according to the AP.
Further changes are anticipated as the Trump administration pursues strategies to enhance the air traffic controller workforce. Recently, Duffy introduced a new cash incentive program aimed at attracting and retaining air traffic controllers.
