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AINonline • Kerry Lynch

FAA trims 2026 certified controller target by ~2,000, setting goal at 12,563

The FAA’s 2026 hiring plan cuts the certified controller target to 12,563, down from 14,633 in the agency’s 2025 plan. The change highlights continued pressure from a chronically understaffed ATC system and a recalibration of near-term workforce expectations.

2026-05-18T10:40:00.140495-07:00

The Air Current

FAA chief Bryan Bedford to tell Congress May 19 that the US air traffic control system has “reached its limits”

2026-05-18T08:14:42.737136-07:00

Unmanned Airspace

Iridium to fully acquire Aireon for $366.7M, positioning space-based ADS-B for aviation safety and future VHF/PNT payloads

2026-05-14T05:23:44.186869-07:00

Flying Magazine

USDOT to fund ~$750M-plus replacement of eight U.S. air traffic control towers and TRACONs

2026-05-15T10:10:38.044783-07:00

News Timeline

AINonline

FAA trims 2026 certified controller target by ~2,000, setting goal at 12,563 The FAA’s 2026 hiring plan cuts the certified controller target to 12,563, down from 14,633 in the agency’s 2025 plan. The change highlights continued pressure from a chronically understaffed ATC system and a recalibration of near-term workforce expectations.

2026-05-18T10:40:00.140495-07:00

FAA trims 2026 certified controller target by ~2,000, setting goal at 12,563

The Air Current

FAA chief Bryan Bedford to tell Congress May 19 that the US air traffic control system has “reached its limits” FAA chief Bryan Bedford will testify to Congress on May 19 that the U.S. air traffic control system has “reached its limits.” The message underscores operational strain facing the National Airspace System and sets up lawmakers’ scrutiny of FAA modernization and near-term capacity resilience.

2026-05-18T08:14:42.737136-07:00

FAA chief Bryan Bedford to tell Congress May 19 that the US air traffic control system has “reached its limits”

Flying Magazine

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USDOT to fund ~$750M-plus replacement of eight U.S. air traffic control towers and TRACONs The U.S. Department of Transportation says it will invest more than $750 million to replace eight air traffic control towers and TRACON facilities, as part of an effort to build new ATC infrastructure and upgrade or replace aging sites. The program is reported as exceeding $800 million in total investment.

2026-05-15T10:10:38.044783-07:00

USDOT to fund ~$750M-plus replacement of eight U.S. air traffic control towers and TRACONs

Flying Magazine

FAA sets tight World Cup 2026 TFRs; Seattle’s Boeing Field adds VFR arrival/departure routes The FAA, with DHS and DOJ, has put Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) in place over 2026 FIFA World Cup venues and fan events, tightening access to event airspace. Separately, Seattle’s Boeing Field has implemented updated VFR arrival and departure procedures to manage safety, noise, and expected congestion tied to tournament traffic.

2026-05-15T06:04:42.727409-07:00

FAA sets tight World Cup 2026 TFRs; Seattle’s Boeing Field adds VFR arrival/departure routes

Bloomberg

Finland grounds Helsinki-Vantaa traffic for hours after a drone warning; F/A-18s scrambled and multiple diversions reported Finland issued an emergency drone alert near Helsinki-Vantaa, prompting three-hour airport operations suspensions, scramble of F/A-18 fighters, and early diversions for inbound long-haul flights. President Sauli Niinistö said the incident does not reflect any “direct military threat.”

2026-05-15T00:10:45.245203-07:00

Finland grounds Helsinki-Vantaa traffic for hours after a drone warning; F/A-18s scrambled and multiple diversions reported

Unmanned Airspace

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Iridium to fully acquire Aireon for $366.7M, positioning space-based ADS-B for aviation safety and future VHF/PNT payloads Iridium Communications has signed a definitive deal to acquire full ownership of Aireon—buying the remaining 61% from NAV CANADA, AirNav Ireland, ENAV, NATS and Naviair—for about $366.7 million. The move consolidates operations of Aireon’s space-based ADS-B surveillance network and signals intent to develop independent payloads, including VHF and PNT-related opportunities.

2026-05-14T05:23:44.186869-07:00

Iridium to fully acquire Aireon for $366.7M, positioning space-based ADS-B for aviation safety and future VHF/PNT payloads

Associated Press

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NTSB urges FAA standardization of realistic cockpit smoke training for pilots The NTSB is urging the FAA to require airlines to incorporate immersive, realistic flight-deck smoke scenarios into pilot training. The push follows prior incidents—including a Southwest Airlines event after a 2023 bird strike—and NTSB findings that current practices are insufficient to prepare crews for smoke-filled cockpit conditions.

2026-05-13T14:33:29.048195-07:00

NTSB urges FAA standardization of realistic cockpit smoke training for pilots

Flying Magazine

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United Airlines Ventures backs Enhanced Radar to scale enterprise radar/ATC software for airport and airline customers United Airlines Ventures has invested in Enhanced Radar, funding refinement of the startup’s enterprise software for airport and airline users. The support is aimed at improving how the company delivers its radar-related capabilities into day-to-day operational workflows across aviation customer environments.

2026-05-13T08:31:11.856276-07:00

United Airlines Ventures backs Enhanced Radar to scale enterprise radar/ATC software for airport and airline customers

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ATC News

FAA trims 2026 certified controller target by ~2,000, setting goal at 12,563

FAA chief Bryan Bedford to tell Congress May 19 that the US air traffic control system has “reached its limits”

Iridium to fully acquire Aireon for $366.7M, positioning space-based ADS-B for aviation safety and future VHF/PNT payloads

USDOT to fund ~$750M-plus replacement of eight U.S. air traffic control towers and TRACONs

News Timeline