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US hires 2,000 Fortnite players as air traffic controllers amid staffing shortfall

The US government has hired 2,000 Fortnite players to work as air traffic controllers. The move follows a yearlong effort to address a shrinking pool of trained controllers while annual flight numbers rise. Controller shortages have already caused delayed or canceled flights and increased safety risks.

• 2,000 Fortnite players were hired by the US government to serve as air traffic controllers
• Annual flight volumes in the United States have increased while the number of air traffic controllers has declined
• Fewer controllers have led to delayed or canceled flights and raised the risk of crashes
• The hiring is the outcome of a yearlong government initiative to solve the controller staffing shortfall