Source: AV News | Author: Amelia Walsh | Posted May 29, 2025
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is entering a critical period of transition as more than 1,200 employees, including senior leaders and technical experts, have either resigned or retired, according to a recent report from AV News. The staffing shift has sparked growing concern across the aviation industry about the FAA’s ability to uphold its core safety, regulatory, and oversight responsibilities.
The departures—first reported by the Wall Street Journal and cited in AV News coverage by Amelia Walsh—are linked in part to a Trump-era labor cost reduction program, which incentivized voluntary exits across federal agencies. An internal FAA presentation dated May 7 and obtained by the Journal outlined broad losses across departments, including mission-critical support roles and experienced personnel.
Impact: 1,200+ Departures, and Counting
A report from FAA Human Resources confirmed that over 1,200 employees have exited under the program. While that figure represents approximately 3% of the FAA’s 46,000-person workforce, the concern lies not just in the numbers, but in the experience gap left behind.
According to the agency, air traffic controllers, engineers, and aviation safety inspectors are not part of the exit program and continue to operate as normal. However, internally, there's growing anxiety that the departure of long-time staff could slow down key processes—such as:
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Issuing airworthiness directives
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Managing runway safety programs
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Processing pilot medical certifications
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Overseeing commercial space launches
These concerns are amplified in light of recent safety challenges, including a midair collision earlier this year involving a Black Hawk helicopter and a commercial jet, as well as radar failures affecting Newark Liberty International Airport.
Internal Dissatisfaction Adds Pressure
Beyond the formal exit program, some FAA employees—particularly safety inspectors—are reportedly considering resignations due to frustration with return-to-office mandates, uncertainty over pension reforms, and political pressures affecting the agency's operations.
This mix of voluntary exits and dissatisfaction has created a growing sense of instability at a time when public and industry confidence in the FAA is being tested.
FAA and DOT Respond with Hiring, Funding Push
In response to the staffing crisis, the FAA says it is actively hiring to replenish its workforce. Meanwhile, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is lobbying Congress for increased funding to support airspace modernization efforts and expand recruitment.
New pay incentives are also being introduced to help attract and retain air traffic controllers, a field already under strain from post-pandemic workforce shortages.
Looking Ahead
While FAA leadership maintains that core operational capabilities remain intact, the wave of departures raises important questions about how the agency will sustain its safety mission amid rising air traffic, complex regulatory demands, and growing public scrutiny.
The situation continues to evolve—and so does the national conversation about how best to support the people responsible for keeping U.S. skies safe.