The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is set to launch a new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) service later this year, moving ahead of previously planned timelines. NOTAMs provide crucial aeronautical information to pilots and airports to ensure safe flight operations. The FAA is aiming to update this system due to previous failures that have disrupted air traffic.
The plans to modernize the NOTAM service have been expedited. According to a statement, the FAA utilized an “innovative vendor challenge to cut through red tape to get this critical work done as fast as possible.” CGI Federal, Inc. is tasked with leading the project. They aim to deliver the NOTAM Modernization Service by July 2025, with the operational deployment set for September. The new system promises near-real-time data exchange for improved collaboration. It will be cloud-hosted with a scalable architecture.
US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy remarked, “The Notice to Airmen system is deeply outdated and showing serious cracks… It’s time our technology enters the 21st Century.” He emphasized the modernization as a vital step towards safer and more efficient air travel.
Annually, over four million NOTAMs impact airlines and airports needing immediate updates on operational conditions. These notices help communicate temporary changes affecting flight plans. The US NOTAMs Office, in Warrenton, Virginia, oversees the quality and dissemination of NOTAMs, although it does not issue them directly.
The modernization aligns with broader discussions on updating US aviation systems. FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau highlighted their accelerated approach, working “with the best and brightest” to advance the technology. The modernization is crucial since NOTAMs convey essential flight operations information not known in advance or publicized through other means.
Recent failures, such as a major NOTAM system outage on January 11, 2023, which delayed over 10,000 flights, have raised concerns about the system’s resiliency and cybersecurity. Legislative actions have demanded updates to safeguard the system’s stability. Although the legacy NOTAM system was initially planned to be phased out by 2025, the timeline has been accelerated.
In February, a minor glitch caused disruptions, but these were managed with a backup system. The FAA remains focused on preventing similar incidents by updating the system to meet current and future demands.
