The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association have reached an agreement to raise controller pay by 2.8 percent, effective October 18, 2026.
The Trump administration announced the deal on Friday, October 16, linking the compensation increase to workplace reforms aimed at improving staffing, scheduling, and operational efficiency.
According to the US Department of Transportation, the raise will be retroactive to the start of 2026.
The agreement also introduces attendance tracking requirements, workload-based shift planning, and personnel reassignments to address the FAA's most pressing staffing needs.
New Attendance and Scheduling Rules
Under the new rules, controllers must record their arrival and departure times at facilities.
Local managers and union representatives will jointly develop shift schedules based on anticipated workloads and operational requirements, aiming to maintain adequate coverage during peak air traffic periods.
Staffing assignments will also focus on locations experiencing the most severe personnel shortages.
Transportation Department officials said the measures are designed to improve working conditions, increase efficiency, and make more effective use of the FAA's existing workforce.
NATCA President Nick Daniels said the compensation increase recognizes the responsibilities air traffic controllers carry in maintaining aviation safety and efficiency.
"This increase reflects the vital role these dedicated professionals play in keeping our nation's skies safe and efficient," Daniels said in a news release.
"Fair compensation and better working conditions are essential to sustaining a strong, experienced air traffic controller workforce."
The agreement follows disagreements over the timing and implementation of previously authorized pay increases.
In September 2026, US lawmakers questioned FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford about why the agency had not yet implemented raises approved by Congress.
Bedford argued that he had sole discretion over implementing the increase and sought a broader agreement that would strengthen oversight and improve operational efficiency.
The resulting deal connects the pay adjustment with changes to workforce management and staffing practices.
Bedford said the reforms would help the agency monitor work, organize shifts, and distribute personnel according to operational needs.
"Air traffic controllers perform critical work every day to keep the National Airspace System safe," Bedford said in a statement Friday.
"By improving how we track work, schedule shifts, and allocate personnel, we can make better use of our workforce and respond more effectively to operational demands."
"Our work with NATCA is helping us put practical changes in place that support our controllers and improve the way the system operates."
The Transportation Department announced the agreement on October 16, with the new compensation rate scheduled to take effect two days later.
The revised workplace requirements will govern attendance tracking, shift planning, and personnel allocation under the agreement between the FAA and NATCA.
