Bill Seeks to Lift US Supersonic Flight Ban

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers, including Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis, have introduced the Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act to end the decades-old ban on civilian supersonic flights over U.S. land, provided no audible sonic boom reaches the ground. The legislation is supported by Boom Supersonic, a Colorado-based company developing the Overture aircraft, with major manufacturing sites in Greensboro, North Carolina, and San Antonio, Texas. Advocates argue that the bill is essential for maintaining U.S. aerospace leadership amid competition from China. Boom's technology aims to reduce cross-country flight times by at least 90 minutes and utilize sustainable aviation fuels to lower carbon emissions. The bill has garnered support from industry, state officials, and both political parties. If enacted, supersonic commercial flights over the U.S. could begin as early as 2029.