Revamping the Skies: U.S. Calls for Overhaul of Air Traffic System

The U.S. is seeking tens of billions of dollars to upgrade its air traffic control system amid infrastructure decay, staffing issues, and obsolete technology. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and airline CEOs are pushing the plan. Recent system failures highlight urgent need for modernization to ensure air travel safety and efficiency.

The U.S. is poised to launch a significant overhaul of its air traffic control system, aiming to address its dilapidated infrastructure and pressing staffing shortages. With billions of dollars projected for the initiative, key questions center on whether Congress will fund the vast endeavor to modernize the technology underpinning America's airspace safety.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, together with the CEOs of five major U.S. airlines, is preparing to introduce the Trump administration's ambitious plan to rejuvenate the country's strained aviation network. The effort comes on the heels of numerous jeopardous near-misses and infrastructure failures, underscoring the imperative for urgent reform.

Despite the considerable challenge, the FAA is determined to remedy airports' technologically outdated systems and bolster air traffic control staffing. However, with over 3,500 additional controllers needed, comprehensive modernization won't be attainable until 2029, leaving the system vulnerable in the interim.

(With inputs from agencies.)