WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Unprecedented Coalition Supports Modern Skies Act, Calls on Congress to Fund Final Stage of Air Traffic Control Modernization
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) yesterday unveiled the Modern Skies Act and called on Congress to pass this historic legislation to fund the final stage of the Trump Administration’s air traffic control modernization and improve the flying experience for the American people.
This landmark legislation will invest $30 billion to modernize the digital architecture our air traffic control system relies on, replace crumbling aviation infrastructure, and build world-class airports across the country. Learn more about the Modern Skies Act provisions here.
Here’s what they are saying:
Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci:
“Now is the time for bold action to modernize America’s air traffic control system. We can fix the fundamentals while investing in new technology that makes our system safer, more efficient and ready for growth. Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford understand this, and I’m encouraged by the progress that’s been made under their leadership. Alaska Airlines strongly supports continued investment to keep that momentum going.”
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom:
“After decades of operating with antiquated technology, we are grateful that this administration is prioritizing modernizing our nation's air traffic control system. We commend President Trump, Secretary Duffy, and Congress for securing a $12.5 billion down payment to begin this transformation, and we strongly support Secretary Duffy's proposal to build out the next phase of a state-of-the-art system that will make aviation even safer and more efficient.”
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian:
“A modern air traffic control system is essential to delivering the safe, reliable travel experience customers expect. The Modern Skies Act would help accelerate critical investments in aviation infrastructure and technology that strengthen our national airspace system. We appreciate the leadership behind this effort and support continued investment to modernize America’s skies.”
JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty:
“JetBlue has long supported the critical work to modernize our nation’s air traffic control system, and we’re eager to see that work fully funded and carried through. A modern, resilient system will help improve efficiency and reliability while reducing the delays and disruptions that impact millions of travelers, particularly in critical airspace like the Northeast, where JetBlue has a significant presence. We look forward to continuing to work with our government and industry partners to deliver the modern airspace system our customers and crewmembers deserve.”
Southwest CEO Bob Jordan:
“Adequate funding is vital for the U.S. to maintain the world’s safest and most-efficient air transportation system. Southwest applauds the leadership of Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford in envisioning the future and taking concrete steps to make it a reality. We are seeing real progress and urge Congress to act quickly to maintain the momentum and support these much-needed improvements.”
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby:
"Air traffic control technology, infrastructure, and staffing issues have been the most persistent challenges of my career and remain the single biggest drivers of delays and cancellations for our customers. No other improvement we could make to air travel would come close to the impact of modernizing this system. I encourage Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle to provide the funding to finish the job.”
Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) Executive Vice President Christian A. Klein:
“The world’s aerospace technology leader needs a world class ATC system. The Modern Skies Act will bring our ATC up to modern standards and ensure the National Airspace System has the future capacity it needs to keep connecting Americans safely and efficiently. ARSA thanks President Trump, Secretary Duffy, Administrator Bedford, and Senator Schmitt for making the safety and efficiency of the NAS a priority. We look forward to the Modern Skies Act’s rapid enactment and implementation.”
Affordable Skies Founder and CEO Jennifer C Rykaczewski:
“We hear directly from travelers about the impact delays, cancellations, and disruptions have on their trips. Modernizing our air traffic control system and airport infrastructure is critical to making air travel safer, more reliable, and more efficient. We thank Secretary Duffy for his leadership on aviation modernization and Senator Schmitt for advancing this effort in Congress.”
Air Medical Operators Association (AMOA) Executive Director Sally Veith:
“Air medical crews depend on a safe, reliable air traffic control system to reach patients when every minute counts. We welcome the Modern Skies Act’s investment in modernizing that system and thank its sponsors for their leadership.”
Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA) President and CEO Stephen Creamer, representing the companies building BNATCS:
“Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford have set an unprecedented pace, and industry has matched it. The Modern Skies Act gives us the certainty to finish what we started: a safer, more resilient airspace that travelers can count on. We urge Congress to act quickly.”
Airbus in North America Chairman and CEO Robin Hayes:
“Aircraft manufacturers continue to invest in safer, smarter and more reliable planes — and we need the same investments to be made in our air traffic control system. The Modern Skies Act will continue the momentum already being made by taking airspace and airport modernization to the next level, and we urgently need Congress to approve these funds and make life better for the flying public.”
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Acting Co-President Katie Pribyl:
“In just over a year, the DOT and FAA have made significant progress in addressing the decadeslong issue of modernizing our air traffic control system. While much progress has been made since last year's $12.5 billion down payment, recent disruptions, government reports, and congressional hearings have highlighted the significant gaps that still need to be addressed. AOPA strongly supports the Modern Skies Act to ensure our nation has the most up-to-date technology in the world.”
Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) Chief Political and Congressional Strategy Officer Annie Russo:
“ACI-NA is grateful to Secretary Duffy and Senator Schmitt for their leadership in advancing this important infrastructure investment package for America's airports. Airports are the backbone of our nation's aviation system and essential to the economic health of the communities they serve. Yet many are working to meet the needs of today's passengers and stakeholders in facilities built decades ago. We urge Congress to continue investing in airport infrastructure to deliver the modern, reliable, and safe travel experience Americans deserve.”
Allied Pilots Association (APA) President Captain Nick Silva:
“America’s pilots and passengers deserve an air traffic control system built for the 21st century—not one held back by aging technology and infrastructure. This $30 billion investment is an additional major step toward a safer, more resilient National Airspace System, and APA strongly supports it.”
APEX Group CEO Dr. Joe Leader:
“Passengers deserve confidence that their journey will bring them safely to their destination as planned. With our five decades of history as a global non-profit advancing airline passenger experience, APEX strongly supports the additional $30 billion investment proposed in the Modern Skies Act to modernize America’s air traffic control systems and airport infrastructure. Modern tools for controllers, resilient communications, predictive technology, and better airport facilities can reduce preventable disruptions and protect the connections that people depend upon. Every avoidable delay carries a personal cost in lost work, missed family moments, and time travelers cannot recover. We urge the U.S. Congress to act swiftly across party lines. Success must translate into measurable improvements passengers experience on every journey, with stronger safety, greater reliability, and accountable delivery.”
Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) President and CEO Michael Robbins:
“Modernizing America’s air traffic control infrastructure will strengthen the national airspace and help ensure it can support continued growth and innovation across aviation, including advanced air mobility and increasingly complex autonomous operations. AUVSI applauds Secretary Duffy, Administrator Bedford, and the Trump Administration for their leadership on this critical modernization effort, and thanks Senator Schmitt for championing it in the Senate. AUVSI looks forward to working with them to secure American leadership in the future of aviation.”
Aviation Innovation Coalition (AIC) Chairman Gene Hayman:
“The Aviation Innovation Coalition applauds President Trump, Secretary Duffy, and Senator Schmitt for their leadership in bringing America's air traffic control system into the 21st century. The $12.5 billion Congress provided last year has already delivered real results, with new fiber, digital radios, and modern surveillance tools coming online at record speed. As this historic investment moves forward, the AIC also believes greater transparency into how these funds are being deployed and the progress being made is essential to maintaining public confidence and ensuring accountability. Innovation doesn't stop halfway. The Modern Skies Act's $30 billion investment will finish the job by building the digital backbone, modern facilities, and world-class airports that the next generation of aviation technology depends on. We urge Congress to act quickly so this Administration can keep executing at the speed of Trump and deliver the world-class, modern system the traveling public deserves.”
Cargo Airline Association (CAA) President Lauren Beyer:
“The nation’s cargo airlines are essential to connecting commerce and communities, moving the goods, products and supplies that businesses and families rely on every single day. A modern, resilient, and technology-enabled National Airspace System is critical to that mission. The CAA applauds President Trump, Secretary Duffy, Administrator Bedford and Senator Schmitt for their continued leadership and supports the proposed $30 billion investment to build on the significant modernization progress already underway. We urge Congress to provide the funding necessary to deliver a National Airspace System built for the future.”
FedEx Corp. International COO and Airline CEO Richard W. Smith:
“This modernization effort is essential to cargo airline operations, express transportation, and the overall health and growth of the United States. Critical healthcare and manufacturing good supply chains move through our network, and American citizens absolutely positively depend on a safe and reliable air traffic control system to get the medical and industrial goods they rely on each and every day.”
GE Aerospace Chairman and CEO H. Lawrence Culp, Jr.
“Safe and reliable air travel demands sustained investment. We encourage Congress to provide the funding needed for the FAA to complete modernization of the air traffic control system along with its other critical work. We commend President Trump, Secretary Duffy, and Administrator Bedford for their leadership on this important effort.”
International Air Transport Association (IATA) Senior Vice President of Operations, Safety and Security Nick Careen:
“Upgrading the U.S. air traffic control infrastructure and technology is long overdue. We appreciate the Department of Transportation’s leadership on this important issue and urge the Congress to swiftly approve the additional funding required to keep the National Airspace System safe and efficient for all users. The United States is a key global aviation market and an air traffic control system built on today’s leading-edge technology is an essential pillar to support future growth in both domestic and international connectivity.”
National Air Carrier Association (NACA) President and CEO George Novak:
“NACA strongly supports this significant investment in our nation’s aviation infrastructure. Modernizing the air traffic control system, strengthening airports, and investing in critical facilities and towers will enhance safety, reliability, and capacity for passenger, cargo, and charter operations across the National Airspace System.”
National Air Transportation Association (NATA) President and CEO Curt Castagna:
“NATA strongly supports the continued investment in air traffic control technology and infrastructure reflected in the Modern Skies Act. We are pleased to work alongside Congress, the Department of Transportation, the FAA, and our Modern Skies Coalition partners to advance modernization across the entire National Airspace System, including the general aviation airports and ATC facilities that connect businesses and communities nationwide.”
National Association of State Aviation Officials President and CEO Gregory Pecoraro:
“State aviation officials support the Administration's proposal for an additional $30 billion to modernize our nation's air traffic control (ATC) system and airports. A modern, reliable ATC system is critical to the safety and efficiency of the traveling public and the businesses across the country that depend on it. We urge Congress to pass legislation to provide the funding needed to build on this progress and finish the job.”
NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP):
“NJASAP appreciates the many aviation stakeholders, including Secretary Duffy, FAA Administrator Bedford and Senator Schmitt, who continue to make ATC modernization a national priority. The $12.5B already allocated by Congress represented an important down payment, and now we have turned our attention to the remaining funding required to complete the long overdue update to our aging National Airspace System. We encourage Congress to continue its work on this important initiative by providing the resources necessary to ensure the United States maintains the safest, most efficient and most capable air transportation system in the world.”
Regional Airline Association (RAA) President and CEO Faye Malarkey Black
“Modernizing air traffic control will make travel safer and more reliable for passengers at airports of every size. This legislation holds particular promise for smaller communities, where passengers often connect through a hub and have fewer flight options if the system is disrupted. A stronger, more resilient system will help protect those connections. We thank Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford for their leadership, and Senator Schmitt for bringing forward the Modern Skies Act. RAA urges Congress to pass it.”
Southwest Airlines Pilots Association President Captain Jody Reven:
“After decades of underinvestment and neglect, our nation's air traffic system is finally on a path toward the modernization it urgently needs. The $12.5B down payment is making inroads, but we need to remain focused and finish the job. SWAPA strongly supports the Modern Skies Act’s request for additional funding. A modern, resilient, air traffic system is essential to the safety, efficiency, and reliability the traveling public deserves—and to the continued growth of our aviation system. Under Sec Duffy's leadership, we have unprecedented support from every facet of the aviation ecosystem on the need to modernize our air traffic systems. We appreciate the administration's commitment and urge Congress to provide the resources necessary to turn this opportunity into lasting progress.”
U.S. Travel Association (USTA) President and CEO Geoff Freeman:
“Air traffic control modernization is the foundation of a travel system that works for Americans and international visitors alike. Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford have made real progress, but the first round of funding was a down payment, not the finish line. Aging technology continues to cause delays and cancellations, costing our economy billions in lost travel spending and jobs. With the world watching how America will welcome its visitors at the 2028 Summer Olympics, the stakes could not be higher. We thank Senator Schmitt for championing the Modern Skies Act and urge Congress to act swiftly to pass it.”
Vertical Aviation International (VAI) President and CEO François Lassale:
“Sustained investment is critical to seeing air traffic control modernization through. For the vertical aviation community, a modern, resilient NAS is essential to safely supporting the missions our operators perform every day and integrating the next generation of aircraft and technologies. We appreciate Secretary Duffy and Senator Schmitt’s continued focus on ensuring the FAA has the resources needed to complete this modernization effort and deliver a safer, more efficient and resilient system for all users.”
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