WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Aviation Administration is moving aggressively on multiple fronts to strengthen aviation safety and workforce readiness, announcing new air traffic controller training partnerships, permanent flight restrictions around the nation’s capital, and expanded efforts to combat human trafficking across the transportation system.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said Sacramento City College has been selected as the next institution to implement the FAA’s Enhanced Air Traffic – Collegiate Training Initiative, marking the 10th new program added as part of a broader push to address a long-standing air traffic controller shortage.
The Trump administration has paired the expansion of collegiate training programs with higher starting salaries and a streamlined hiring process, resulting in the FAA exceeding its Fiscal Year 2025 hiring goal by onboarding 2,026 new air traffic controllers.
“The addition of new schools to our air controller pipeline will allow us to bolster our controller workforce while maintaining the highest training standards,” Duffy said. “We are moving at the Speed of Trump to address the decades-long air traffic controller shortage and bring about the Golden Age of Travel.”
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the E-CTI program allows qualified graduates to move directly into FAA facilities for specialized training after passing required aptitude, medical, and security assessments. The Sacramento City College agreement focuses on en route training, positioning students for placement at FAA Air Route Traffic Control Centers.
Alongside workforce expansion, the FAA is finalizing permanent airspace restrictions near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport following the January 2025 American Airlines Flight 5342 crash. The agency published an interim final rule prohibiting certain helicopter and powered-lift operations when Runways 15 and 33 are active, implementing recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board.
“After that horrific night in January, this Administration made a promise to do whatever it takes to secure the skies over our nation’s capital,” Duffy said. “Today’s announcement reaffirms that commitment.”
The rule takes effect immediately, with public comments accepted before issuance of a final rule. Additional safety measures around the airport have included closing helicopter Route 4 between Hains Point and the Wilson Bridge, eliminating mixed helicopter and fixed-wing traffic near the airport, requiring ADS-B Out broadcasting for military aircraft, and increasing staffing and oversight at Reagan National. Updated helicopter routes were also implemented in October 2025 at Reagan National, Washington Dulles International Airport, and Baltimore/Washington International Airport.
The Department of Transportation also announced recipients of its 2025 Combating Human Trafficking in Transportation Impact Awards as part of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The awards recognize innovative efforts to detect, prevent, and respond to trafficking across transportation networks.
New Jersey Transit received first place for a multi-faceted initiative tied to preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including employee training, public awareness campaigns, and direct support for potential victims. Second place went to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Department of Transportation for a tribal-focused safety and awareness campaign in Oklahoma, while third place was awarded to the 3Strands Global Foundation for training railway professionals across California.
DOT officials said the awards complement ongoing efforts through the Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking initiative, which now includes more than 600 industry partners nationwide. Additional programs include the joint DOT and Department of Homeland Security Blue Lightning Initiative, which has trained more than 400,000 aviation employees, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s “Your Roads, Their Freedom” campaign targeting the trucking industry.
Transportation officials said the combined actions reflect a whole-of-government approach aimed at strengthening safety, security, and public trust across America’s aviation and transportation systems.
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