CNN —The Federal Aviation Administration says that graduates of two college air traffic control programs can now bypass the agency’s backlogged training academy. The new announcement is the FAA’s latest move to tackle air traffic controller shortages that have plagued the air travel system, triggering flight delays and a burned-out controller corps. “The FAA is working to hire and train more air traffic controllers, in order to reverse the decades-long decline in our workforce and ensure the safety of the flying public,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in a statement. Graduates of Tulsa Community College and the University of Oklahoma can “begin immediate facility training,” skipping the FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy at Oklahoma City. CNN previously reported in May that the agency netted an increase of only 160 controllers during a recent hiring cycle.

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Persons: Mike Whitaker, ” Organizations: CNN, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Tulsa Community College, University of Oklahoma, FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy, Oklahoma City