Overview

• More than 1,200 FAA staff have enrolled in the Department of Transportation’s deferred-resignation program, accounting for roughly 3% of the agency’s 46,000 employees.
• FAA officials stress that safety-critical roles—including air traffic controllers, inspectors and mechanics—were exempt from the buyout and that core safety operations remain intact.
• Departures have included several non-safety senior leaders, whom the agency says have been seamlessly replaced by experienced personnel.
• Internal presentations warn that medical clearances for controllers and pilots, as well as runway safety initiatives, could see delays if staffing gaps persist.
• To counter shortages, the FAA has expanded hiring and onboarding for safety professionals and is pressing for multibillion-dollar upgrades to its aging air traffic control infrastructure.