A nationwide air traffic controller shortage has put new attention on a growing training option the FAA now approves for certain colleges. The recent federal government shutdown highlighted how thin staffing has become, especially as delays and reroutes stacked up across the country. The FAA says it wants to hire at least 8,900 new controllers by 2028. According to FAA workforce data analyzed by USAFacts, about 3,000 controller positions were vacant nationwide as of late 2024 — though not every facility is equally understaffed.That shortage is driving interest in a newer FAA-approved college pathway designed to streamline controller training at a small
