The Federal Aviation Administration is turning to an unexpected talent pool to address a critical staffing shortage: video gamers. In a new recruitment campaign launching next week, the FAA is explicitly targeting gamers for air traffic controller positions, arguing that their skills directly translate to this high-stakes profession.
"You've been training for this," declares the FAA's new advertisement, which opens with the Xbox logo before transitioning to scenes of gamers and air traffic controllers at work.
The campaign highlights that controllers can earn up to $155,000 after three years of service. US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy explained the strategy, stating that the FAA must adapt to reach younger generations. "This new approach taps into a growing demographic of young adults who possess many of the hard skills required to excel as controllers," Duffy said in a statement.
This initiative builds upon a 2021 Biden administration campaign called "Level Up"—a gaming term for advancing to higher levels—that similarly sought to recruit gamers for controller vacancies.
Air traffic controllers play a vital safety role, monitoring and directing aircraft to prevent collisions and ensure smooth operations at airports. The profession demands rapid decision-making under pressure and technical proficiency—qualities often honed through competitive gaming.
Staffing shortages have plagued the industry for years. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, the controller deficit is expected to grow annually. Last year, the FAA reported being at least 3,000 controllers short of its target of 14,663, with double that number anticipated to leave by 2028. While Duffy noted that current staffing is at a six-year high, specific numbers were not provided.
The recruitment push follows several high-profile aviation incidents, including a 2025 mid-air collision near Washington DC that killed 67 people and a 2023 crash at New York's La Guardia Airport that claimed two pilots' lives.
Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, expressed union support for the gaming-focused recruitment strategy. "Our union welcomes innovative approaches to expanding the candidate pool, including outreach to individuals with high-level aptitude skills like gamers," Daniels said, emphasizing that all candidates must meet the profession's rigorous safety standards.