The U.S. Department of Transportation is taking an unexpected approach to solve the ongoing air traffic controller shortage—recruiting gamers.
In a new campaign, the DOT leans into gaming culture, telling potential applicants: “You’ve been training for this… become an air traffic controller. It’s not a game. It’s a career.” The goal is to connect with younger audiences who already possess skills like quick decision-making, multitasking, spatial awareness, and problem-solving—abilities often sharpened through gaming.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized the need to evolve recruitment strategies, noting that tapping into the gaming community opens the door to a new generation of talent with the right mental skillset. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also pointed out that many current controllers credit gaming for helping them stay focused and handle high-pressure situations.
Interestingly, only about a quarter of current air traffic controllers hold a college degree, so the campaign is also aimed at people pursuing nontraditional career paths.
The push comes as the FAA continues to deal with staffing shortages. Over the past decade, the number of controllers has dropped roughly 6%, while air travel has increased by about 10%. Although the agency currently has around 11,000 controllers and over 4,000 trainees—the highest levels in six years—it still falls short of its goal of 14,500 fully staffed positions.
With travel demand rising and staffing gaps persisting, the FAA is betting that the next wave of controllers might already be sharpening their skills behind a controller. The also plan to provide salaries close to $155,000 a year for these positions.
The Applications start on April 17th, so gather all your gamer friends and family and apply here.
