US Plans $12 Billion Air Traffic Control Overhaul Across 4,600 Sites

The Trump administration, led by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, has announced an ambitious plan to overhaul the U.S. air traffic control system to address outdated infrastructure, safety concerns, and controller shortages. The multi-billion-dollar initiative aims to replace 618 obsolete radars, upgrade telecommunications with fiber, wireless, and satellite technologies at over 4,600 locations, and build six new air traffic control centers, the first since the 1960s. The modernization effort also includes expanding runway safety technology to 200 airports and enhancing the ADS-B network for real-time air traffic updates, with a target completion date of 2028. The plan requires upfront congressional funding for rapid implementation over three to four years and has garnered broad support from industry leaders, labor unions, and victim families affected by recent incidents. President Trump highlighted the project as a revolutionary step in aviation, emphasizing its potential economic and national security benefits while underscoring the need for pilots. Overall, the overhaul seeks to improve efficiency, reduce flight delays, and enhance safety in the nation's airspace.