Billionaire Elon Musk on Thursday urged retired air traffic controllers to return to the workforce, if they are open to doing so, highlighting the critical need for workers amid a national shortage. 

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy earlier this month said he could offer current controllers more money if they stay past the mandatory retirement age of 56, and raise the retirement age. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is looking to fill approximately 3,000 Air Traffic Control spots at many airports across the United States, per The Hill.

The pleas for more qualified controllers come after a string of aviation incidents this year, including a fatal plane and helicopter collision near Washington, D.C., last month that killed all 67 people on board.

"There is a shortage of top notch air traffic controllers," Musk posted on X. "If you have retired, but are open to returning to work, please consider doing so."

Musk also claimed the air traffic control system is failing, and that his company SpaceX should take over the contract. 

“The Verizon communication system to air traffic control is breaking down very rapidly,” he said in a separate post. “The FAA assessment is single digit months to catastrophic failure, putting air traveler safety at serious risk. The situation is dire." 

The comments come after the Trump administration fired hundreds of probationary FAA employees, amid its restructuring of the federal government. But air traffic controllers were not among those terminated. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.