New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R) joined with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy on Monday to announce that Nashua Community College will become the newest participant in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Enhanced Air Traffic–Collegiate Training Initiative (E-CTI), a program designed to tackle the nation’s growing shortage of air traffic controllers.
The announcement comes as the FAA struggles to fill thousands of vacant controller positions nationwide. According to agency data, only two of the nation’s 313 air traffic control facilities are fully staffed. Many controllers are working six-day weeks and extended shifts, a workload linked to fatigue, stress, and a string of near-miss incidents. The shortfall — estimated at more than 3,000 controllers — has forced the FAA to cut minimum flight requirements at major airports like New York’s JFK and LaGuardia through 2026 to reduce congestion and safety risks.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, we’re solving the air traffic controller shortage one step at a time,” Duffy said. “Our new partnership with Nashua Community College will help us continue to attract the best and brightest to fill our air traffic control towers. To all the young Americans considering a career in this exciting field – your work will make flying safer and more efficient than ever.”
The Nashua school is the first in New Hampshire to join the FAA’s E-CTI network and the fifth new program launched this year. Students will receive the same rigorous curriculum and access to advanced training technology offered at the FAA’s Air Traffic Controller Academy in Oklahoma City, providing a direct pipeline into one of the nation’s most critical — and understaffed — professions.
“Expanding opportunities in high-demand fields is essential to ensuring New Hampshire has a dependable pipeline of talent,” said Ayotte. “This partnership with Nashua Community College will help build the workforce of tomorrow right here in the Granite State, while opening new doors for students to pursue rewarding careers that keep our state strong and our nation safe.”
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the initiative is already producing results. During the agency’s recent “Supercharge” hiring campaign, more than 10,000 applications were submitted, with over 8,300 advancing to the testing phase. In July, the FAA reached a historic milestone, with 550 students in training at its academy — the highest monthly total on record.
“Investing in the next generation of air traffic controllers is critical to maintaining the safety and efficiency of our national airspace,” Bedford said. “By expanding training opportunities through these programs, we’re not only meeting today’s staffing needs — we’re building a resilient workforce ready to handle the challenges of tomorrow.”
As a candidate, Ayotte praised the state’s community college system and pledged to support it. Her budget proposed continuing the state’s freeze on tuition for in-state community college students at $215 per credit. The final budget compromise raised tuition to $230 per credit.
With the Nashua program set to begin, local officials say the Granite State will now play a direct role in strengthening the safety net of America’s skies.
