Report: Over 1,200 FAA Employees Expected to Exit Agency in 2025

Key Takeaways

• Over 1,200 FAA employees will leave in 2025 due to the deferred resignation program.
• Frontline air traffic controllers remain, but 3,500 controller staffing shortfall persists.
• FAA plans to hire 2,000 trainees and offers financial incentives to retain staff.

More Than 1,200 FAA Employees Set to Leave: What It Means for U.S. Aviation

As of June 4, 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) faces a major workforce change. More than 1,200 employees are expected to leave the agency in the coming months. This wave of departures comes at a time when the FAA is already under pressure from flight delays, technical problems, and increased scrutiny over its ability to keep the skies safe and efficient.

The main reason for this exodus is the deferred resignation program, a policy that allows eligible employees to go on paid leave until September 2025, after which they must leave government service. This program, introduced during the Trump administration, was designed to help the FAA manage labor costs and reduce its workforce in a controlled way. Now, as the deadline approaches, the agency must deal with the impact of losing about 3% of its 46,000-person workforce.

Let’s break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what it could mean for travelers, aviation workers, and the future of air travel in the United States 🇺🇸.

Why Are So Many FAA Employees Leaving?

The deferred resignation program is at the heart of this situation. Here’s how it works:

• Eligible employees can choose to enter the program.
• Once accepted, they go on paid leave until September 2025.
• After that, they must resign or retire from the FAA.

This program was first introduced during the Trump administration as a way to cut costs and manage the size of the federal workforce. More than 2,700 FAA employees initially showed interest in the program, but the final number eligible is expected to be just over 1,200.

The FAA says that frontline workers—like air traffic controllers, engineers, and inspectors—are not eligible for the deferred resignation program. This means the people who directly manage air traffic and safety will stay on the job. However, many of those leaving are experienced support staff, including:

• Senior leaders
• Technical experts
• Aeronautical information specialists
• Aviation safety assistants
• Maintenance mechanics

These roles may not be as visible as air traffic controllers, but they are vital for keeping the aviation system running smoothly.

What’s the Impact on FAA Operations?

The FAA insists that the departures will not affect “mission-critical” functions. In other words, the agency says it can still keep planes flying safely and efficiently. But many experts, union leaders, and lawmakers are worried.

Dave Spero, president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists union, has warned that losing so many support staff could slow down modernization projects and make it harder to keep up with safety oversight. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) has also raised concerns, saying the agency is losing “really critical employees to the mission,” such as technicians and mechanics.

Here are some of the main risks:

• Delays in issuing airworthiness directives (official instructions to fix safety problems with aircraft)
• Slower processing of pilot medical clearances
• Challenges managing runway safety
• Possible delays in regulating commercial space launches

The FAA is already under pressure to modernize its infrastructure, much of which relies on old technology. Losing experienced staff could make this even harder.

How Is the FAA Responding?

The agency is not standing still. The FAA is actively hiring and making changes to attract new talent and keep current employees. Some of the steps include:

• Hiring 2,000 new air traffic controller trainees in 2025, with plans to increase this number in future years
• Streamlining the hiring process for air traffic controllers, reducing it from eight steps to five
• Offering financial incentives:
  • $5,000 bonuses for academy graduates
  • $10,000 bonuses for those assigned to hard-to-staff locations
  • A 20% lump-sum payment for retirement-eligible controllers under age 56 who stay on the job

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced a plan to “supercharge” controller hiring, including new retention incentives, pay increases, and faster hiring processes.

The FAA says, “We are refreshing an organization that is built for the future,” and points to ongoing recruitment and modernization efforts.

What About Air Traffic Controllers?

While the deferred resignation program does not apply to air traffic controllers, the FAA is still facing a shortfall of about 3,500 controllers compared to its target staffing levels. This shortage has already led to flight reductions at major airports like Newark Liberty International Airport and has put extra stress on the system.

The agency’s plan to hire 2,000 new trainees in 2025 is a step in the right direction, but it will take time for these new hires to be fully trained and ready to work on their own. In the meantime, the shortage could continue to cause delays and disruptions, especially at busy airports.

Recent Layoffs and Legal Challenges

The FAA’s workforce changes are not limited to the deferred resignation program. In February 2025, the agency laid off about 400 probationary employees as part of broader federal workforce reductions. However, a federal judge later ordered the reinstatement of 132 of these employees, ruling that the layoffs violated procedural rules.

This legal back-and-forth has added to the uncertainty and stress for FAA workers and has raised questions about how the agency is managing its workforce during this period of change.

What Are the Main Concerns from Stakeholders?

Unions and Employees

Unions representing FAA workers, such as the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), have voiced strong concerns about the loss of experienced staff. They warn that:

• The loss of institutional knowledge could make it harder to maintain safety standards.
• Fewer technical experts could slow down modernization and repairs.
• Support staff play a key role in keeping the system running, even if they are not in the control tower.

Some inspectors are also considering leaving due to dissatisfaction with return-to-office mandates, uncertainty over pension reforms, and growing political pressures.

Lawmakers

Lawmakers from both parties have expressed worry that ongoing reductions in support staff will hurt the FAA’s ability to keep passengers safe and maintain regulatory oversight. They are watching closely to see if the agency can keep up with its responsibilities during this transition.

Airlines and Airports

Major airlines and airports are also affected. Staffing instability at the FAA can lead to:

• Flight delays and cancellations
• Longer wait times for safety checks and certifications
• Increased costs for airlines, which may be passed on to passengers

Airlines like United and major hubs such as Newark Liberty International Airport are particularly sensitive to these changes.

Background: How Did We Get Here?

The deferred resignation program was introduced during the Trump administration as a way to manage labor costs and reduce the size of the federal workforce. The FAA has faced a tough few years, with:

• Technical failures and radar outages
• Software breakdowns
• Chronic shortages of air traffic controllers
• Operational disruptions and flight reductions at major airports

Earlier in 2025, the agency laid off hundreds of probationary employees, but some were reinstated after a federal judge found the layoffs violated procedural rules.

All of this has put the FAA under a microscope, with many asking whether the agency can keep up with its mission during a period of major change.

What’s Next for the FAA?

The agency is seeking more funding from Congress to support hiring and modernization of the nation’s air traffic infrastructure. The long-term effects of the mass exodus remain unclear, but there are real risks to the reliability and safety of the U.S. aviation system.

The FAA’s ability to maintain safety standards and keep operations running smoothly during this workforce transition will be closely watched by lawmakers, unions, airlines, and the public.

Key Facts at a Glance

What Does This Mean for Travelers?

For most travelers, the changes at the FAA may not be obvious right away. Planes will still fly, and airports will still operate. However, there could be more delays, longer wait times, and possible disruptions, especially at busy airports.

If the agency cannot fill critical support roles quickly, it may take longer to process safety checks, approve new technology, or respond to technical problems. This could affect everything from flight schedules to the rollout of new aviation systems.

What Should FAA Employees Know?

If you are an FAA employee or considering a career with the agency, here are some important points:

• The deferred resignation program is only open to certain employees. If you are eligible and choose to participate, you will go on paid leave until September 2025 and then must leave government service.
• Frontline roles like air traffic controllers, engineers, and inspectors are not eligible for the program.
• The FAA is actively hiring, especially for air traffic controllers and technical support roles. You can find more information and apply for jobs through the FAA’s official careers page.
• If you have questions about retirement or separation, contact FAA Human Resources through the official website.

What Should the Public Watch For?

The coming months will be a test for the FAA. Key things to watch include:

• How quickly the agency can hire and train new staff
• Whether flight delays and disruptions increase
• How Congress responds to requests for more funding
• Whether the FAA can keep up with modernization projects

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the agency’s ability to manage this transition will shape the future of U.S. aviation for years to come.

Where to Find More Information

For the latest updates, check the FAA’s official website, which provides news releases, job postings, and detailed information about agency programs. You can also find resources and support through the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) at www.passnational.org and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) at www.natca.org.

Takeaways and Next Steps

• Over 1,200 FAA employees are set to leave by September 2025 due to the deferred resignation program.
• Frontline safety roles are protected, but the loss of experienced support staff could strain the agency.
• The FAA is actively hiring and offering incentives to attract new talent.
• Travelers may see more delays and disruptions if staffing gaps are not filled quickly.
• Lawmakers, unions, and airlines are watching closely to see how the agency manages this transition.

If you work in aviation or are planning to travel, stay informed about changes at the FAA. For those interested in FAA careers, now is a good time to explore opportunities as the agency seeks new talent to help shape the future of U.S. aviation.

Learn Today

Deferred Resignation Program → Policy letting eligible FAA employees take paid leave until Sept 2025 before leaving service.
Air Traffic Controllers → Professionals managing aircraft movements to ensure safe takeoffs, landings, and en route travel.
Airworthiness Directives → Official FAA orders requiring fixes to aircraft safety issues detected during inspections.
Modernization Projects → Efforts to update FAA infrastructure and technology for improved safety and efficiency.
Probationary Employees → New hires undergoing trial periods before permanent FAA employment confirmation.

This Article in a Nutshell

The FAA faces significant workforce losses through a deferred resignation program affecting over 1,200 employees. While frontline safety roles stay intact, support staff departures may slow modernization. Hiring 2,000 air traffic controllers and offering bonuses aims to stabilize operations amid growing aviation challenges.
— By VisaVerge.com