New approach proposed for air traffic controller staffing crisis

Air navigation service providers (ANSPs) worldwide continue to face challenges in recruiting, training, and retaining air traffic controllers. Staffing levels have not recovered from the layoffs and retirements during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the United States alone, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) needs to fill approximately 3,000 vacancies, reflecting a situation similar to the pilot shortage.

Aviation training group CAE has proposed a solution through its new Air Traffic Services (ATS) program. The program will launch in October with NavCanada. Between then and the end of 2028, the Montreal-based company aims to prepare more than 500 students. The process begins with three to six months of initial training before assigning trainees to on-the-job positions at NavCanada facilities across Canada.

“One of the things we think we can bring to this situation is our global footprint and the access we have to a talent pool,” said Marie-Christine Cloutier, CAE’s vice president of civil strategy for performance, strategy and marketing. “We are looking to form partnerships with ANSPs and help them to be more efficient to ramp up [staffing levels] quickly. There is a lot of competition [for recruits] and this is a very demanding job.”