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Airlines for America announced its gratitude to President Donald J. Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for their commitment to modernizing the U.S. air traffic control system.
According to Airlines for America (A4A), the U.S. air traffic control system remains reliant on analog technologies dating back to the 1980s, such as copper wire communication and floppy disk data storage. In a recent industry statement, A4A praised the Trump administration and Secretary Duffy for prioritizing modernization, stating that a digitally integrated, satellite-based system is long overdue. The organization continues to advocate for investment in NextGen air traffic technologies that improve safety, reduce delays, and enhance operational efficiency across the National Airspace System.
According to Reuters, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. government is evaluating IBM and Raytheon Technologies as potential vendors to lead the overhaul of the federal air traffic control infrastructure. During a cabinet meeting, Trump emphasized that the existing system is dangerously outdated and highlighted the need to replace it with modern radar, fiber-optic, and software-driven technologies. A $12.5 billion investment package covering upgrades through 2029 is currently under review by the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
