FAA Breaks All-Time Record for Air Traffic Controller Trainee Hiring

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) exceeded its Fiscal Year 2026 goal, hiring 2,235 air traffic controller trainees, the most in FAA history. This record follows the highly successful gamer campaign that recruited more than 12,000 qualified Americans to apply in just 24 hours.

“Meeting this year’s hiring goal is an important milestone, but it’s not the finish line,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “We are focused on...

FAA Proposes $87,000 Fine Against Comfylife, LLC for Alleged Violation of Hazardous Materials Regulations

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes a $87,000 civil penalty against Comfylife, LLC of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, for allegedly violating U.S. Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations. 

The FAA alleges that between November 2025 and April 2026, Comfylife offered numerous shipments of various products for transportation by air that contained flammable and non-flammable aerosols, flammable liquid adhesive, flammable...

Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, Modern Skies Coalition Applaud Senator Schmitt’s $30 Billion Modern Skies Act

Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Announces $84.4 Million for Airport Improvements in Texas, North Carolina, and Wyoming

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investing $84.4 million in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants in Texas, North Carolina, and Wyoming airports. 

These dollars will go towards strengthening and modernizing essential facilities, improving airfield infrastructure, enhancing passenger amenities, and addressing needs that support...

FAA Grants Commercial Operating Certificate to McKinney National Airport

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced it issued McKinney National Airport a Part 139 Airport Operating Certificate, which allows the airport to accommodate commercial passenger airline service. This marks the first time a Texas airport has received an Airport Operating Certificate since 2005.  

“The community around McKinney is growing rapidly, and accommodating commercial flights will provide the community with greater access to...

Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Celebrates Launch of Federal eVTOL Pilot Program in North Carolina to Unlock Future of Flight

FAA Proposes $260,868 Fine Against ExcelAire, LLC for Alleged Illegal Operations

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes a $260,868 civil penalty against ExcelAire, LLC of New York and Georgia for allegedly conducting unauthorized charter operations.

The FAA alleges that in August 2025, ExcelAire operated two flights for compensation or hire after the company’s director of operations surrendered the company’s air carrier certificate to the FAA in June 2025, when that person, and the remainder of the company’s required...

Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Delivers State-of-the Art Air Traffic Control Management Tool to Transform The Flying Experience, Reduce Delays & Cancellations For the Traveling Public

Laser Strikes on Aircraft Continue to Drop But Are Still Too High

WASHINGTON -- For the third year in a row, reported laser strikes in the National Airspace System are down. Pilots reported 4,470 laser strikes to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2026 - a 24 percent decrease from this time last year.

The FAA conducts outreach and training with local, state, and federal law enforcement to combat laser strikes. The outreach has resulted in a significant decrease in laser strikes which reached an all-time high of 13,304 in...

Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Announces First Virginia College to Join Air Traffic Controller Training Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has partnered with Shenandoah University in Virginia to join the Enhanced Air Traffic – Collegiate Training Initiative (E-CTI). Students who pass the E-CTI program can apply to become a controller on a fast track – skipping the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City and jumping straight to on-site...