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FAA Reduces ATC Staffing Target, Aims To Lengthen Work Times For Current Controllers Instead

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The target for air traffic control (ATC) staffing has been reduced as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to modernize its schedule and instead increase the time employees are monitoring and managing air traffic. The new target is set for 12,563 controllers, down from the current target of 14,633. This has come as the overtime costs for current controllers have increased more than 300%.