Discover NATCA
National Air Traffic Controllers Association
NATCA is a labor union and aviation safety organization in the United States that represents nearly 20,000 highly skilled air traffic controllers, engineers, and other aviation safety-related professionals. NATCA was certified in 1987 by the Federal Labor Relations Authority to be the exclusive bargaining representative for air traffic controllers employed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Today, NATCA is one of the strongest labor unions in the federal sector and represents a range of aviation safety professionals in 15 FAA bargaining units, six Department of Defense air traffic facilities, and 171 federal contract towers. These air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals make vital contributions to the U.S. economy and make modern life possible by coordinating the safe, orderly, and expeditious movement of nearly one billion aviation passengers and millions of tons of freight within the National Airspace System each year. NATCA is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO.
Featured News
One Controller Caught and Averted Disaster
Two aircraft. One call sign. One controller who caught it and averted disaster. America’s air traffic controllers – calm, precise, professional, and always on duty keeping you safe. All In a Days Work
NEB Update: Staying Focused on Facts
Sisters and Brothers, Over the last year and a half, our workforce and Union have faced numerous challenges. When looking back on the past and projecting ahead, it feels like NATCA and our members are engaged in a marathon; a race that takes strategy, planning, experience, and thoughtful execution. News cycles, specifically those fueled by…
Controllers’ Commitment to the Safety of Every Person in the Sky Never Changes
Friday, August 7. Watch that line of weather walk into some of the busiest airspace in the world. Every yellow indicator is an aircraft counting on an air traffic controller. Every aircraft landed and departed safely. The weather may change, but our commitment to the safety of every person in the sky never does. All…
Video Channel
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Benefits
Only One Month Left to Enroll in NATCA’s Long Term Disability Insurance Plan
There is only one month left to enroll in NATCA’s exclusive Long-Term Disability Insurance plan with Unum. Unum is an affordable way to protect a large portion of your income that could be lost due to illness or injury. Premiums are based on your income and the elimination period you choose (90 or 180 days…
Unum Long Term Disability Insurance Open Enrollment Extended Until Jan 16, 2026
NATCA is pleased to announce the extension of the open enrollment period through Jan. 16, 2026 for our exclusive long-term disability (LTD) insurance benefit with Unum! Our LTD plan with Unum protects a large portion of your income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. This benefit is available exclusively to…
Events
Submit Your Constitutional Amendment Before the Deadline, Dec. 3
The NATCA 2027 Convention will be held in Chicago, April 27–29. Amendment submissions are open now. Don’t wait for the Dec. 3, 2026, midnight deadline! Submit early and the National Constitution Committee will work with you one-on-one to refine your language before it reaches the floor. Email [email protected] per Article XIV, Section 1. https://youtu.be/AXnCX-x66d4?si=ASwnX69PzzAqChyj Save…
Spotlight
Aviation Facts
Fact: The United States aviation system is an economic driver, contributing 5.2 percent to the nation’s gross domestic product, and generating nearly 11 million jobs.
Aircraft in the sky at peak operational times
Pounds of freight moving through the National Airspace System each year
Current Traffic
Tracking 10,677 airborne aircraft with 636,859,278 total flights in the database. FlightAware has tracked 113,709 arrivals in the last 24 hours.
Aviation Acronyms
Learn acronyms used by safety professionals nationwide:
