FAA Tests Starlink for Air Traffic Modernization, Raising Conflict of Interest Concerns

Elon Musk’s Starlink terminals are being tested to address FAA communication issues, potentially impacting Verizon's $2 billion contract.

The FAA is testing Starlink satellite internet terminals at three locations, including Atlantic City, NJ, and two sites in Alaska, to improve aviation communication in remote areas.
The testing follows concerns about the reliability of Verizon's $2 billion FAA contract, which was awarded in 2023 to modernize the agency's IT infrastructure.
Critics have raised conflict of interest concerns, as Elon Musk, who oversees Starlink, also advises the Trump administration and leads the Department of Government Efficiency, which has cut FAA staff.
The FAA plans to deploy 4,000 Starlink terminals over the next 12 to 18 months, though the impact on Verizon’s existing contract remains unclear.
The initiative comes after recent aviation safety incidents and growing scrutiny over Musk’s dual roles in government restructuring and his business dealings.