Thousands of Video Gamers Apply for Air Controller Jobs, Transportation Secretary Says

A college degree is not required to apply, according to the FAA, which noted that only about 25 percent of current controllers have one.

Los Angeles International Airport, on Jan. 27, 2026. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) effort to recruit video game players into air traffic controller jobs has been “wildly successful” so far, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.

“This has been wildly successful, and if you think about what these gamers are doing on screens, they’re talking, and there’s a lot going on,” Duffy said on April 17 during an interview at the Semafor World Economy Summit.