Overview

• The modernization plan seeks to replace outdated air traffic control systems, including 25,000 radios, 618 radars, and six new air traffic control centers.
• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized a three-to-four-year phased rollout to ensure safety during the transition without disrupting operations.
• The plan follows recent incidents, including a Newark Liberty International Airport meltdown and a fatal midair collision, that highlighted urgent infrastructure needs.
• The Federal Aviation Administration has faced flat funding for 15 years, with inflation eroding purchasing power by $1 billion annually, prompting calls for emergency funding.
• Aviation stakeholders are advocating for at least $31 billion in funding, while a U.S. House panel has proposed $12.5 billion to address critical upgrades.