WASHINGTON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - A senior official at the

Federal Aviation Administration said Friday the agency met its

goal of hiring 2,000 air traffic controllers in the 12 months

ending Sept. 30 and aims to hire 2,200 next year.

Deputy FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau announced the

hiring figures at an industry conference.

A persistent shortage of controllers has delayed flights and

many are working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks. The FAA

is about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted

staffing levels. Congress approved $12.5 billion in July to

overhaul aging air traffic control systems and boost controller

hiring.