US Aviation Leaders Demand Emergency Funding for Air Traffic Control Upgrades

Aviation groups cite staffing shortages, outdated technology, and recent crashes as urgent reasons for Congressional action.

Major aviation organizations and unions have jointly called on Congress to provide emergency funding for air traffic control technology and staffing improvements.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reportedly 3,500 air traffic controllers short of its staffing targets, leading to delays and mandatory overtime for current personnel.
A recent midair collision near Washington, D.C., which resulted in 67 deaths, has heightened concerns over aviation safety and infrastructure needs.
Aging FAA facilities and technology, including 50-year-old infrastructure and outdated radar systems, require billions of dollars for modernization.
The aviation sector has also urged Congress to exempt the FAA from government shutdowns to ensure consistent funding and uninterrupted safety operations.