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ALPA warns air traffic control system depends on outdated technology

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ALPA warns air traffic control system depends on outdated technology
Airports
Webp jason ambrosi
Jason Ambrosi, President of Air Line Pilots Association | Air Line Pilots Association

The Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) has announced that the U.S. air traffic control system relies on outdated technologies, such as paper flight progress strips, copper wiring, and floppy disks. The association highlights the urgent need for modernization to enhance safety and efficiency.

According to ALPA's official post on X, these obsolete tools increase the risk of operational errors and hinder air traffic management efficiency, especially with growing air travel volumes. ALPA is calling for reforms to update these critical systems to meet modern aviation demands.

In a statement on LinkedIn, ALPA referenced tragic events like the PSA Flight 5342 accident and recent air traffic control system outages as evidence of vulnerabilities in the current infrastructure. The leadership emphasizes that relying on antiquated technology is unsustainable given the high stakes for safety and reliability in U.S. airspace. The union urges Congress and regulators to swiftly fund and implement next-generation air traffic control technology.

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The Register reports that during a Congressional hearing in June 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that some core functions at air traffic control centers still use floppy disks and paper strips, despite planned upgrades. A recent outage at Newark Liberty Airport was traced to aging copper wiring, causing disruptions lasting several hours. The FAA is now prioritizing fiber-optic and digital modernization to mitigate such risks.

According to Wikipedia, ALPA is the world’s largest airline pilot union, representing over 63,000 pilots at 39 airlines in the United States and Canada. It advocates for safety, modernization, and strong labor protections within the aviation industry while engaging with federal agencies and lawmakers on policy initiatives.

Organizations Included in this History
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