Some of the incentives include a 30% salary increase for new hires, plus a $5,000 bonus for completing the academy. Duffy also said the agency plans to add extra resources for students in an effort to boost their exam pass rates.

The FAA did not agree to a recorded interview for this story, but in a written statement it said that growing the controller workforce is “a top priority for the FAA.” It also highlighted that more than 8,300 people recently qualified to take an aptitude test, which is an early step in the process of becoming a controller.

Air traffic control is a demanding career. Only 57% to 73% of trainees graduate, but those who do can earn an average pay of $160,000, before bonuses.