DRIVING THE NEWS: Trump’s Transportation Secretary Duffy, Senator Marshall, & Congressman Mann Tout Need for Air Traffic Control Modernization in Kansas City
The Trump Administration’s air traffic control overhaul is upgrading Kansas City Airports and creating good-paying jobs in Olathe, Kansas
KANSAS CITY, MO – U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today joined U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) and U.S. Congressman Tracey Mann (KS-01) to tour Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC) in Kansas City and Indra Group’s radar manufacturing plant in Olathe, Kansas. The visit highlighted how $12.5 billion from the Working Families Tax Cut Act is deploying modern air traffic control equipment and creating new manufacturing jobs in Kansas–while underscoring the need to pass the Modern Skies Act to fully fix U.S. air travel.
“Senator Marshall and Congressman Mann are amazing fighters for Kansas’ continued aviation success. Their vote for the Working Families Tax Cut Act is sending millions of dollars for air traffic control modernization straight to airports across the region and boosting American jobs in Kansas communities,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “We’ve made historic progress, but the job’s not finished. To finally fix air travel for the American people, we need to pass the Modern Skies Act and I’m relying on our partners in Congress to get that done.”
“Kansas has a proud aviation history, and we need to make sure our infrastructure is keeping up. From modernizing our air traffic control systems to investing in our airports, these improvements are critical to keeping travelers safe, supporting good-paying jobs, and keeping America the gold standard in aviation,” said U.S. Senator Roger Marshall. “I appreciate Secretary Duffy being here today to discuss how we can strengthen our aviation infrastructure and make sure Kansas remains a key part of America’s transportation future.”
“Kansas has a proud aviation legacy, and America should have an aviation system that sets the standard for the rest of the world,” said U.S. Congressman Tracey Mann. “Today, we saw firsthand how the historic investments we made alongside President Trump and Secretary Duffy are modernizing outdated air traffic control technology and supporting good-paying manufacturing jobs in Kansas. The Modern Skies Act builds on that progress with an additional $30 billion investment to modernize our air traffic control system, replace aging infrastructure, and strengthen airports nationwide. I thank Secretary Duffy and Senator Marshall for their leadership and look forward to getting this legislation across the finish line to keep America the global leader in aviation.”
In September, the Secretary urged Congress to pass the Modern Skies Act, introduced by U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) in the Senate and Congressman Mann in the House, to provide the $30 billion necessary to fully fix America’s air traffic control system by investing:
- $10 billion to complete reliable digital architecture
- $10 billion to overhaul outdated airport infrastructure, including towers
- $10 billion to build world-class airports
Learn more about the Modern Skies Act HERE.
Secretary Duffy and Senator Marshall also toured Indra Group’s new $50 million radar plant in Olathe, Kansas. Opened in April, the 118,00-square-foot facility employs more than 150 American workers and will produce 40% of the radars being installed as a part of the Trump Administration’s Brand New Air Traffic Control System. By adding 110 more jobs in early 2027, the plant will keep production moving at the Speed of Trump to complete the nationwide overhaul by the end of 2028.
Additional Information:
The Trump Administration is investing $41.58 million from the Working Families Tax Cut Act into Kansas City-area airports to upgrade their air traffic control systems.
MKC is receiving $11 million worth of upgrades over the next 18 months, including:
- New IP Voice Switches*
- Replacing old copper wire with new high-speed fiber
- New Surface Awareness Initiative system (SAI)
- New displays for controllers
*Already installed
Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is receiving $30.58 million worth of upgrades over the next two years, including:
- Replacing copper with new high-speed fiber*
- New displays for controllers
- Replacing paper flight strips with electronic ones
- New radars
- New IP Voice Switches
- New Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI)
*Already installed
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