Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) has introduced the Control Tower Continuity Act (S. 2263), in an effort to help alleviate the shortage of air traffic controllers across the United States. The bill proposes a key change to federal retirement rules, allowing experienced controllers to remain on duty beyond the current age limit, provided they meet stringent medical standards.
What the Bill Would Do
The Control Tower Continuity Act would:
- Remove the age 61 cap on exemptions to the mandatory retirement age for air traffic controllers, provided they meet certain medical standards
- Require biannual medical certification for controllers over 61, increasing the frequency from the current annual requirement
This change builds on existing FAA policy, which mandates retirement at age 56 but allows limited exemptions up to age 61 for “exceptional” individuals. The bill would extend that flexibility further, tapping into a pool of seasoned professionals during a time of critical need.
Earlier this year, Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that he was exercising his authority under Title 5 to grant these exemptions for air traffic controllers to extend the retirement age to 61 to help combat ongoing air traffic controller shortages.
Why It’s Being Introduced
The FAA is currently facing a shortage of approximately 3,000 air traffic controllers nationwide. This has contributed to flight delays and cancellations at major airports, such as the problems at Newark Liberty International Airport earlier this year. In addition to problems caused by outdated technology, air traffic controllers walked off the job at this airport in protest. United CEO Scott Kirby said:
…technology that FAA air traffic controllers rely on to manage the airplanes coming in and out of Newark airport failed – resulting in dozens of diverted flights, hundreds of delayed and canceled flights and worst of all, thousands of customers with disrupted travel plans. Unfortunately, the technology issues were compounded as over 20% of the FAA controllers for EWR walked off the job. Keep in mind, this particular air traffic control facility has been chronically understaffed for years and without these controllers, it’s now clear – and the FAA tells us – that Newark airport cannot handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate there in the weeks and months ahead.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has warned in the past about air traffic controller fatigue resulting from adequate staff levels. In 2024, the union wrote, “Understaffing currently requires FAA to assign mandatory overtime to controllers, including regular 6-day workweeks, which leads to fatigue. In 2022, controllers at 40% of FAA facilities worked 6-days a week at least once per month. Several facilities required 6-day workweeks every week.”
Senator Blackburn argues that forcing healthy, capable controllers to retire at 61 is counterproductive, especially when their expertise could help stabilize the system. “Healthy and skilled air traffic controllers should not be forced to retire at age 61,” she said in a press release about the legislation. “Americans are forced to endure delays, cancellations, and safety concerns” due to staffing shortfalls.
Other Efforts to Recruit Air Traffic Controllers
The bill comes amid broader federal efforts to modernize and reinforce the air traffic control system. The Department of Transportation has already announced incentives for recruitment and retention, including:
- Cash bonuses for trainees
- 20% annual bonuses for controllers who delay retirement
The agency also launched the “Supercharge Initiative” earlier this year to speed up the hiring process for air traffic controllers. The FAA reports that it has had the highest number of students in training in July in the agency’s history and is on pace to reach the Transportation Department’s goal of hiring 2,000 new controllers by mid-September.
The Control Tower Continuity Act complements these efforts by proposing a way to offer more immediate relief through retention of experienced personnel, while longer-term solutions—like training new controllers—continue to ramp up.
