Ocasio-Cortez, Suozzi Encourage New Yorkers to Sign Up for New Expanded Air Traffic Controller Training Program at Vaughn College 

WATCH: Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez and Congressman Suozzi celebrate Vaughn College’s entry into the Enhanced Air Traffic Control Collegiate Training Initiative.

QUEENS, N.Y. - On Friday, Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Tom Suozzi (NY-03) joined Vaughn College, major airline representatives, air-traffic controllers, airline pilots,  and community members for a press conference to celebrate the implementation of an Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative, in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“I am proud to celebrate Vaughn College’s entry into this Enhanced Air Traffic College Training Initiative,” said Congresswoman Alexandria-Ocasio Cortez. “Earlier this year, I provided a letter of support to the Federal Aviation Administration for their admission to the AT-CTI. This program will make our skies safer by addressing the national shortage of air traffic controllers and will connect students in The Bronx and Queens to high-paying, union careers.”

“Vaughn’s entry into the ECTI program means that more New Yorkers who want to become air traffic controllers can do it without moving to Oklahoma City, and people from all over the country seeking a good paying job with great benefits and a devotion to public service can come and train right here in Queens,” said Congressman Tom Suozzi. “More than that, graduating more Air Traffic Controllers means more people can access high paying, union jobs. No matter your politics, most Americans believe that if you work hard, you should be able to buy a house, educate your kids, afford health insurance, and retire one day without being scared. Graduating from Vaughn as a controller means more people—more New Yorkers—will be able to do that.”

"Vaughn College is an experienced partner with the FAA in providing well-trained students, many of whom want to work the New York airspace," said Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo, Vaughn College President. "These are rewarding careers with terrific economic outcomes and this new opportunity to complete initial training right here at Vaughn is an opportunity to expand the number of training seats and get the FAA the talent they need."

“As the President of New York TRACON N90, we handle all the flights in and out of Kennedy, LaGuardia, Westchester, and all other airports on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley and Southern Connecticut,” said Joe Segretto, President of New York TRACON N90. “As we all know, the New York metro area is extremely short on air traffic controllers. One of our biggest struggles is getting people to want to move here from other parts of the country and stay here. Having a college local to New York where students can get their full degrees is tremendous. We have many CTI Vaughn graduates in our program now that have been successful— the enhanced CTI program will be that much better.”

"The air traffic career is one of the best in the aviation industry and the best career in the Federal Government,” said Yahay Obeid, FAA employee and NY-14 constituent. “I'm very grateful to Vaughn for giving me and giving many kids this opportunity of becoming air traffic controllers.”

“As one of the many proud Vaughn graduates and NATCA members throughout the New York area, we are excited to welcome the ECTI program to Vaughn College,” said Erick Carlo, NATCA Vice President of JFK Air Traffic Control Tower and NY-03 constituent. “This is an important avenue to further supercharge the hiring of air traffic controllers and assist the FAA in filling over 3,900 vacancies.”

“Our aging air traffic control system demands immediate modernization and substantial investment to ensure safety and operational security for decades ahead. Rep. Suozzi's and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez’s leadership, along with Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford, is driving critical progress toward securing the resources our aviation system desperately needs. As the professionals who operate within this system every day, commercial airline pilots and air traffic controllers are committed to working with Congress and industry stakeholders to deliver the modernized infrastructure America's airspace requires,” said Captain Wendy Morse, Airline Pilot’s Association First Vice President and National Safety Coordinator.

“This is a win-win-win for Vaughn College, New York, and the efficiency and safety of the flying public,” said Senator Schumer. “Vaughn College’s entry into FAA’s worker development program, which I supported, is a testament to the school and its training program and will help make our skies safer, our travel better, and help address the urgent need to train more qualified workers to become air traffic controllers.”

"We have long advocated for solutions tailored to the New York region, given our complex air space and the demand for controllers. Streamlining the hiring of qualified individuals from here in our own backyard will help us better serve both our hometown customers and the millions who travel to New York each year,” said Warren Christie, JetBlue Airways Chief Operating Officer.

“Vaughn College has long been an important partner to Delta Air Lines and a critical component of our workforce development story in New York,” said Matt Wood, Delta’s Director of LGA Above Wing Operations. “With this Enhanced-CTI pathway certification, I’m encouraged that Vaughn graduates will have the opportunity to enter the FAA workforce sooner and help fill critical roles at local New York facilities. Vaughn’s enhanced certification along with the historic $12.5 billion Congress recently included as part of the reconciliation package to begin to modernize the ATC system, is an incredible step in the right direction to enhance the safety and efficiency of our national airspace system.”

“Today's announcement highlights the urgent need for more air traffic controllers in this region and around the country,” said Jon Gooda, Vice President of Airport Operations for United Airlines at Newark Liberty International Airport. “Vaughn College will be critical in helping resolve the nationwide shortage of nearly 4,000 air traffic controllers, and I’m confident training and hiring more controllers and fixing the country’s dilapidated ATC system will lift us to greater heights."

“A4A greatly appreciates Rep. Suozzi dedication to the FAA’s Enhanced Collegiate Training Initiative, allowing schools like Vaughn College in New York to continue their incredible work of educating the next generation of air traffic controllers and aviation specialists. The Enhanced CTI program makes sense because it allows students to study, certify and work in their home communities. Addressing the air traffic controller shortage is not an overnight fix, but thanks to Congress’ bipartisan commitment, we are beginning to tackle it,” said Nick Calio, Airlines 4 America President and CEO.

This press conference follows both recent advocacy and longtime support by Representatives Ocasio-Cortez and Tom Suozzi for Vaughn College to join the program and ultimately address the demand for more air traffic controllers in the New York City area, one of the most important air traffic hubs in the world.

For more information about becoming an air traffic controller, contact Vaughn College at admitme@vaughn.edu or call 1.866.VAUGHN.

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