March 11 (Reuters) - The Biden administration said

Monday it is seeking funding from Congress to hire another 2,000

air traffic controllers in the 2025 budget year after a series

of near-miss incidents.

The Federal Aviation Administration is facing a persistent

shortage of controllers that has caused flight delays and forced

the FAA to extend cuts to minimum flight requirements at

congested New York City-area airports through October 2024. At

many facilities, controllers are working mandatory overtime and

six-day work weeks to cover staffing shortages. The FAA wants

$43 million to accelerate the hiring and training controllers.