Provo Airport Hires First Woman Air Traffic Controller

Hanna Prather and Courtnee Higgs break new ground at the airport's control tower

Jan. 27, 2026 at 11:55pm

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The Provo Airport in Utah has hired its first woman air traffic controllers, Hanna Prather and Courtnee Higgs. Prather recently became the first woman to be fully certified in the airport's control tower, while Higgs is still in training. The two controllers hope to help alleviate staffing shortages in the industry and encourage more women to pursue careers in air traffic control.

Why it matters

The hiring of Prather and Higgs as the first women air traffic controllers at Provo Airport is a significant milestone, as the industry has traditionally been male-dominated. Their success could inspire more women to consider careers in this high-pressure, high-stakes field, helping to address staffing shortages and bring more diversity to the profession.

The details

Hanna Prather spent five years in the Marine Corps, including three years in Okinawa, Japan, working mostly with helicopters. She then found an entry-level civilian opening at the Provo Airport. Just last week, Prather became the first woman to receive full certification in the airport's control tower, which opened in 2005. Courtnee Higgs is a Roy, Utah native who previously served in the Navy for five years. She is currently in training to become an air traffic controller at Provo Airport.

  • Provo Airport's control tower opened in 2005.
  • Hanna Prather received her full certification as an air traffic controller at Provo Airport just last week.
  • Courtnee Higgs is currently in training to become an air traffic controller at Provo Airport.

The players

Hanna Prather

The first woman to be fully certified as an air traffic controller at Provo Airport, after previously serving five years in the Marine Corps, including three years in Okinawa, Japan.

Courtnee Higgs

A native of Roy, Utah, who is currently in training to become an air traffic controller at Provo Airport, after previously serving five years in the Navy.

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What they’re saying

“I like to look at planes… pretty simple. I didn't know how complex it was going to be or how difficult it was going to be.”

— Courtnee Higgs

“It's a firehose of information over such a short period of time.”

— Hanna Prather

“Don't be scared — it's not a boys' club. Throw your hat in the ring. Give it a try!”

— Courtnee Higgs

What’s next

Hanna Prather hopes to use her experiences at Provo Airport to join an FAA-controlled tower in the future.

The takeaway

The hiring of Hanna Prather and Courtnee Higgs as the first women air traffic controllers at Provo Airport demonstrates that the traditionally male-dominated field of air traffic control is becoming more accessible to women, which could help address staffing shortages in the industry and inspire more women to pursue careers in this high-pressure, high-stakes profession.