FIRST ON FOX: The Federal Aviation Administration broke its all-time record for air traffic controller hiring this year, bringing on 2,235 trainees as the agency works to reverse years of staffing shortages across the nation.The FAA surpassed its fiscal year 2026 goal of hiring 2,200 air traffic controller trainees, marking the most hired in a single fiscal year in agency history, the Department of Transportation told Fox News Digital exclusively.The agency also reached its highest certified controller staffing level in a decade, with 11,027 certified professional controllers as of Sept.30, up from 10,694 at the end of fiscal year 2025, according to the DOT.CBP TOUTS HISTORIC MILESTONE, PUSHES FOR EVEN LARGER WORKFORCE: 'WE AREN’T STOPPING HERE'Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, accompanied by Sen.
Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), speaks during a news conference at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on Sept.28, 2026.
(Getty Images)"We’re recruiting, hiring, and training more air traffic controllers than ever before—and the numbers show it," Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Fox News Digital."Thanks to President Trump, we've shaved months off the hiring pipeline, dramatically expanded our collegiate training programs, and inspired thousands of young gamers to pursue this exciting career," Duffy said."This is an important milestone, but not the finish line as we work to reverse decades of staffing shortages."The record comes less than five months after the FAA unveiled an aggressive three-year workforce plan aimed at rebuilding a controller workforce strained by staffing shortages, mandatory overtime and lengthy training timelines.FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford had offered a stark assessment of the problem during congressional testimony last December, warning lawmakers that the agency would "never" reach adequate staffing under its previous structure.REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT MAKES DRASTIC CHANGE FOLLOWING DEADLY 2025 MIDAIR COLLIS...