Sec. Duffy: ‘President Trump has ordered that I deliver a new, world-class air traffic control system’

Home
»
Stories
»
2025
»
February

GLOBAL INDUSTRY NEWS

Hong Kong Airlines launches daily Sydney flights

Airline to launch new bunk beds in economy on long-haul flights next year

How Airline Employees Are Coping After Deadly Washington Crash

Major airline reverses in-flight menu change amid outcry

British Airways frequent flyer scheme changes: everything you need to know

Airline introduces world-first hand luggage ban on popular travel gadget

Air Canada Delays Boeing 767 Reentry

Flight Centre tips ‘price war’ as first direct Melbourne to LA Delta flights go on sale

FAA reverses course on meeting prohibition, blaming rogue employee

British Airways tweaks frequent flyer scheme after backlash

Delta flight from New York to Florida diverted to North Carolina due to ‘odor in the cabin’

EASA Certifies Safran’s First Electric Motor

US court blocks Biden administration's airline fee disclosure rule

JetBlue Issues Dim Outlook But Execs Remain Confident in Turnaround Plan

Delta to Resume Tel Aviv Flights April 1

Boeing CEO Ortberg outlines 2025 priorities after heavy losses

Storm Eowyn: Thousands of trains, flights and ferries cancelled as 100mph wind batters UK

Indian carrier long haul: IndiGo returns to profitability, plans long haul flights

These Frequent Fliers Are Done With Loyalty Programs

JetBlue accepting Venmo as payment method for flights purchased through mobile app

United Airlines stock rallies on results, as growing demand wasn’t just about premium seats

Delta Adds Another Alaska Route

Southwest to Reduce Pilot Head Count at Several Bases

Dublin Airport savings boost for holidaymakers – but passengers need to be quick

American Halts CRJ-200 Operations

Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route

Delta employees to receive an average five weeks of pay in annual profit sharing

Akasa Air faces DGCA heat for lapses; warning letter issued to airline's accountable manager

Indigo Eyes European Market Amid Intensifying Competition with Air India

Air India to operate daily Delhi-Prayagraj flights for Maha Kumbh

Global Industry News

Sec. Duffy: ‘President Trump has ordered that I deliver a new, world-class air traffic control system’

Policy

Sean Duffy | Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg

By Sky Industry News

Feb 21, 2025

Sean Duffy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, announced that President Trump has directed him to implement a "world-class air traffic control system" and called on American developers to contribute to the effort. Duffy made this statement in a post on X on February 16.

"America deserves safe, state-of-the-art air travel, and President Trump has ordered that I deliver a new, world-class air traffic control system that will be the envy of the world," said Duffy. "I'm asking for help from any high-tech American developer or company that is willing to give back to our country. My door at US Department Of Transport is open to any and all patriotic developers or companies who want to help our country in this incredible, game-changing mission."

According to Duffy, a team from Elon Musk’s SpaceX is collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update the air traffic control system. The effort aims to provide "safe, state-of-the-art air travel," and he invited American developers and companies to participate.

Sean Duffy on Space X | X (former Twitter)

Get the Newsletter

Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News

By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The Verge reported that SpaceX representatives visited the FAA’s Air Traffic Control System Command Center in Virginia on Monday. They reviewed the current system and gathered input from air traffic controllers. This visit follows a midair collision over the Potomac River three weeks ago, resulting in 67 fatalities. The FAA has since faced scrutiny due to reports of dismissals of hundreds of probationary employees maintaining air traffic infrastructure.

Duffy addressed concerns regarding SpaceX’s involvement by stating that the FAA regularly provides tours of the command center to both media and private companies. He also mentioned plans to visit the FAA Academy in Oklahoma later in the week to meet with instructors and trainees and assess air traffic controller training programs.

The Trump administration is pursuing efforts to reduce the federal workforce while advancing infrastructure and technology initiatives. The Department of Transportation has described the air traffic control modernization project as a priority under its plans for national transportation improvements, according to The Verge.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's official website, Sean Duffy was appointed as U.S. Secretary of Transportation by President Donald Trump in 2025. A former congressman from Wisconsin, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019 and was a member of the House Financial Services Committee. Before his political career, Duffy worked as a prosecutor and television commentator.

Organizations Included in this History

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

More News

Executive VP at Flying Food Group: 'We anticipate that 2025 will bring similar, if not greater, opportunities for expansion'

Nicholas Rondeau, Vice President of Air Sales and Marketing at Flying Food Group (FFG), said that the company experienced "continued growth" in 2024 and anticipates more "opportunities for expansion" in 2025.