The FAA is trying to hire nearly 9,000 new air traffic controllers by 2028, but the pipeline meant to train them is struggling to keep pace—and now US federal watchdogs want to know why.
The Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General has launched an audit of air traffic controller training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. The review comes as the FAA tries to reverse a long-running shortage of certified controllers, as retirements, training washouts, and staffing disruptions continue to hinder those efforts.
In a memo announcing the audit, the inspector general said the review will examine whether the FAA’s current approach to recruiting and training controllers can realistically deliver the numbers the system needs.
The audit follows a high-profile hiring push announced in February 2025 by US Department of Transportation leadership, which aimed to “supercharge” controller recruitment. That campaign drew more than 10,000 applicants, with about 8,300 referred to the FAA Academy for screening and testing. Roughly 600 trainees ultimately entered the program, the largest class in the Academy’s history.
But according to the inspector general, the Academy saw a trainee failure rate of more than 30% in fiscal year 2024. At the same time, the FAA continues to face a shortage of qualified ATC instructors, limits on training capacity, and a curriculum that has struggled to keep up with technology changes.
The FAA plans to hire at least 8,900 new air traffic controllers by 2028, but the inspector general noted that attrition, retirements, and training dropouts continue to erode staffing levels. Industry estimates suggest the controller workforce remains thousands short of what is recommended to manage today’s air traffic levels.
The audit will assess how the FAA is addressing instructor shortages, whether training facilities can handle increased throughput, and how effectively the agency is updating its controller training curriculum. Work will be conducted at FAA headquarters in Washington, DC, and at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, home of the FAA Academy.
Controller staffing has been a chronic challenge for decades, but recent events have amplified the strain. During the 43-day government shutdown in 2025, air traffic controllers were required to continue working without pay. Thousands called in sick during that period, forcing widespread flight delays and cancellations. The FAA ordered traffic reductions of about 10% at dozens of large airports, and some towers temporarily went hours without any staffing.
According to media reports cited by lawmakers, the Academy lost as many as 500 trainees during that period and came close to shutting down entirely due to funding uncertainty. While operations eventually resumed, the disruption set hiring efforts back.
The inspector general framed the audit as a practical necessity, not a punitive exercise. In announcing the review, the office said it is initiating the audit “given the importance of increasing the number of certified controllers to safely manage the national airspace system.” The goal, according to the memo, is to identify obstacles and help the FAA meet its hiring targets.
A recent Government Accountability Office report found that despite hundreds of thousands of applicants over several years, the controller shortage remains a problem.
The inspector general said the audit will begin in the coming weeks. Findings are expected later in 2026, with recommendations that could shape how the FAA trains controllers for years to come.
