Archive · 13 Aug 2026
FAA hires 2,000 video gamers as air traffic controllers amid criticism
Air traffic controllers are the people who help airplanes take off, land, and fly safely.
The United States did not have enough of them, so the government needed to find new people for the job.
The head of transportation, Sean Duffy, decided to hire people who love playing video games.
He thought gamers might be very good at this work.
Why?
Because gamers are used to thinking fast, focusing for a long time, and watching many things at once.
These are useful skills for guiding planes.
The Federal Aviation Administration hired 2,000 gamers, and 2,000 more may be hired soon.
Some people are happy about this and say it is a smart idea.
Other people are worried, because keeping planes safe is a very big responsibility.
Everyone agrees that safety in the sky is extremely important.
The FAA has hired 2,000 video gamers as air traffic controllers under a recruitment initiative announced by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Duffy launched the campaign in April to address a nationwide staffing shortage and called the results "historic."
Another 2,000 candidates are reportedly "in the pipeline" for future controller appointments.
The FAA says only about 25 percent of current controllers hold a traditional college degree, prompting a broader talent search.
Supporters say gaming builds quick thinking, concentration, and spatial awareness, while critics question its role in a safety-critical profession.
- Who
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), under the Trump administration
- What
- The FAA hired 2,000 video gamers as air traffic controllers under a new recruitment initiative
- When
- The campaign launched in April, with results announced this week
- Where
- United States
- Why
- To address a nationwide staffing shortage of air traffic controllers
Supporters of the gaming recruitment campaign
Critics of the gaming recruitment campaign
Gaming as a qualification for air traffic control
Supporters of the gaming recruitment campaign
Gamers bring valuable skills such as fast decision-making, sustained concentration, spatial awareness, and the ability to think quickly and manage complexity, which are well suited to air traffic control.
Critics of the gaming recruitment campaign
Critics question whether gaming experience should play any role in recruitment for a safety-critical profession where errors can have serious consequences.
- Number hired
- 2,000 video gamers as air traffic controllers
- Candidates in pipeline
- 2,000 additional candidates
- Campaign launched
- April, announced by Secretary Sean Duffy
- Agency
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Controllers with traditional college degree
- About 25 percent
- Purpose
- Address nationwide staffing shortage and broaden talent search
- Result described as
- "Historic" record number of controller appointments in a single year