GAO: FAA still short of air-traffic controllers despite ~200,000 applicants; workforce down 6% since FY2015
The GAO finds the FAA still lacks enough air-traffic controllers despite roughly 200,000 applicants, blaming lengthy training pipelines, high attrition and strict age limits. It reports the active controller workforce fell about 6% between FY2015 and FY2025, leaving persistent staffing gaps across the U.S. system.