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
NATCA Wishes You a Happy Fourth of July!
Happy Independence Day from your NATCA Family! A special thanks to all our members who are working during the holiday weekend to ensure the safety of the flying public. NATCA is proud of the vital role our members play in ensuring millions of passengers can enjoy their summer travels.
NATCA Wishes You a Happy Father’s Day
Happy Father’s Day from your NATCA family! Thank you to all the dads, caretakers, and father figures in our Union that sacrifice time away from their own loved ones to keep the National Airspace safe. Because of you, we have so much to celebrate on Father’s Day and every day. Check out a photo album…
NATCA President Nick Daniels Shares the Controller Perspective During DOT Industry Days
On June 10, NATCA President Nick Daniels joined aviation industry stakeholders at the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Industry Days event. Daniels participated in a discussion panel moderated by Rebecca Guy, the Chief Technology Officer (acting) in the Air Traffic Organization of the Federal Aviation Administration. Other panel members included National Business Aviation Association President and…
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Benefits
The Union Plus Hometown Heroes Contest is ON: A $40K Grand Prize Could be Yours!
It’s the fifth year of Union Plus’s Unions Power America program — and Union Plus is going all out to celebrate. This summer, they’re honoring hometown heroes, those union members, who make us proud to be union members. As part of the celebration, there will be $150,000 in cash prizes, plus some unbelievable travel is…
What You Need to Know About the Budget Reconciliation Bill Passed in the House of Representatives
NATCA Members, Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its budget reconciliation bill on a party-line vote 215-214. In previous member updates, we detailed how provisions in earlier versions of the legislation would have negatively affected the federal employee retirement system and other benefits, including for air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals. Through…
Events
Convention Applauds 100% Membership Facilities for Union Solidarity
Delegates in the convention hall cheered as NATCA recognized every facility that has achieved 100% union membership. The moment highlighted the strength of our Union and the deep commitment of members across the country. Reaching full membership is a powerful reflection of solidarity, unity, and shared purpose at the local level. May 11, 2025: Images…
Spotlight
Get To Know NATCA’s National Legislative Committee Chair David Skarphol
Relationship building is at the core of NATCA’s legislative activism. Earlier this year David Skarphol (Phoenix TRACON, P50) stepped up as the chair of NATCA’s National Legislative Committee (NLC), leading the team that coordinates and facilitates NATCA members’ legislative training and relationships with members of Congress. Today we take a moment to introduce Skarphol and…
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:
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