06:20 AM EST, 02/28/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that the Trump administration will take steps to hire more air traffic controllers and seek billions of dollars to improve the nation's aviation system, multiple media outlets reported Thursday.

This comes after several recent safety incidents and flight delays stemming from a persistent staffing shortage.

Reuters reported that the FAA is about 3,500 fully certified air traffic controllers short of its targeted staffing levels. The agency also requires controllers to work mandatory overtime and six-day weeks to cover shifts.

As a result, the Federal Aviation Administration intends to start hiring candidates to become air traffic controllers through March 17, boost starting salaries by 30% for those who go to the FAA training academy and accelerate the time-to-hire by reducing more than four months off the old process.

Duffy reportedly said he was also reconsidering rules that allowed air traffic control supervisors decrease staffing at Washington's Reagan National Airport before the fatal Army helicopter-plane crash in January.