The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomed yesterday a new Senate bill that aims to increase the number of certified air traffic controllers and improve aviation safety.

The Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act of 2025, introduced by Sens. John Hoeven (R-ND), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), would authorize funding for training that will expand the ATC workforce and incentivize retention, give the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) additional resources for training technology, and have the agency take additional steps to provide more mental health support for air traffic controllers.

The Senate bill would:

Provide $20 million per year in grants for the Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) to give universities more funding for curriculum, simulators and faculty;

Require the FAA to develop ATC recruitment and retention incentive programs;

Allow the agency to purchase Tower Simulator Systems to help certify ATC trainees;

Increase mental health specialists and support available to the ATC workforce.

Earlier this month the Association joined with 33 other groups on a letter urging Congress to fund improvements in the air traffic controller hiring and system modernization to enhance the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System.