Eastern Kentucky University is set to launch a new air traffic control program in the spring 2027 semester, further positioning the school as a regional leader in aviation education. The Associates in Air Traffic Management degree will begin with a cohort of 15 students and is planned to eventually grow to 50.

Program Details

The program is backed by $5 million in startup funding from the state legislature, along with $1.5 million in annual operational support. Kentucky’s Council on Postsecondary Education studied which institutions in the state could provide the training before selecting EKU.

Dr. Tim Holt noted that the program will benefit existing flight students by teaching them how to communicate with air traffic controllers, who are responsible for granting takeoff and landing clearance. The program will also feed the needs of regional airports, including CVG, Bluegrass, and Louisville.

Original reporting: WTVQ (Lexington) — read the source article.