The U.S. aviation sector is reportedly pushing lawmakers to approve a funding package worth $20 billion to modernize the country’s aging air traffic control (ATC) systems, as well as curb flight disruptions.
Next-Generation Tech
According to a Reuters report on Wednesday, a coalition of airlines, airplane manufacturers, airports, unions and others said that the funds would replace hundreds of aging ATC facilities, as well as help deploy next-generation tech for controllers to improve safety.
The letter referenced by Reuters was signed by Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA), Airbus SE (OTC:EADSF) (OTC:EADSY), as well as the Airlines for America consortium that represents the likes of American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ:AAL), United Airlines Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) and more.
Read Also: Airline CEOs Warn of Airport Chaos One Month Into TSA Shutdown
The report also said that the Federal Aviation Administration said that by the end of 2028, the U.S. aviation sector would have 5,000 new high-speed network connections on fiber, as well as satellite and wireless. The agency also expects 27,000 new radios and 612 state-of-the-art radars.
Sean Duffy Touts Modernization
The demand from the industry aligns with recent efforts by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who has touted ATC modernization as a crucial goal for the Department of Transportation (DOT).
Earlier, Duffy had said that a revamped air traffic control setup was a top priority after an Air Canada Express flight at New York’s LaGuardia Airport collided with an on-ground support vehicle on the runway. The DOT noted that the administration would need substantial financial support on top of the $12.5 billion funding package previously approved by Congress.
Duffy had slammed former President Joe Biden‘s DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg, accusing him of failing to enact modernization efforts while sitting on “mountains of cash” and allowing controllers to work in deteriorating towers prone to leaks and flooding.
Read Also: Air Fares May Not Fall Until September Despite Lower Oil Prices After Trump’s Iran Deal—Here’s Why
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by a Benzinga editor.
Check out more of Benzinga’s Future Of Mobility coverage by following this link.
Photo Courtesy: Gorodenkoff on Shutterstock.com
