The new head of the Federal Aviation Administration said the U.S. air traffic control system has not been updated in 40 years and needs urgent improvement.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, speaking at the EAA AirVenture air show in Wisconsin, said the current system is aging, understaffed, and facing serious technology issues.
Congress recently approved $12.5 billion for a five-year modernization plan. The Trump administration is seeking an additional $19 billion.
The FAA plans to upgrade radar, telecom systems, air traffic control towers, and other infrastructure. It also aims to hire more air traffic controllers and offer new incentives to keep current staff.
The FAA is short by about 3,500 air traffic controllers. Many are working six-day weeks and mandatory overtime. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the goal is to fix the shortage in three to four years.
Bedford said improving leadership and redesigning the national airspace are part of the strategy. He said morale in the agency is low following a crash in January that killed 67 people near Washington, D.C.
A series of near-misses, technical failures, and the January crash have raised concern about the system’s safety. Bedford also criticized the Biden administration, saying it lacked interest in aviation issues.
He said the FAA must work on building trust, improve leadership, and move forward with clear strategies. Bedford promised transparency and shared his email with attendees at the air show.
