WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Unprecedented Support for U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy’s Plan to Build a Brand-New Air Traffic Control System
WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced a new plan to build a Brand New State-of-the-Art Air Traffic Control system. An unprecedented coalition of supporters – including airline CEOs, aviation leaders, government officials, labor unions – have emphasized the importance of this historic plan. See what they are saying below:
Senator Ted Cruz:
“I want to thank Secretary Duffy for the terrific job he’s doing. I want to thank President Trump for his strong leadership, taking on the need to modernize air traffic control technology, finally. This announcement, I believe, is a major step in reversing the deterioration of safety in the U.S. airspace. As Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, I will work to give the Department of Transportation the resources needed to improve today’s infrastructure, much of which seems like it was assembled at a Radio Shack 50 years ago. Money alone is not a cure for all that ails the FAA. We need to ensure that there is a committed, longterm focus to fix and upgrade technology, streamline and simplify procurement, bolster the workforce, and make it easier safer to bring new tech, whether it be delivery drones or air taxis, into the national airspace system.”
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Leaders:
“Modernizing the nation’s air traffic control system is long overdue and a necessity for the future of American aviation and the safety of the system. Americans need and deserve a state-of-the-art air traffic control system and we look forward to working with our congressional colleagues and Secretary Duffy to achieve that goal. We cannot afford to delay any longer.”
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby:
“This really is a historic day — a day I have been looking forward to my entire career when I felt like we have turned the corner and are on the path to give the United States the best-in-class air traffic control system that the citizens of the United States deserve.”
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom:
“I’ve been in the airline business a long time, and that entire time, I’ve known that the U.S. air traffic control system was operating on antiquated technology. This plan from President Trump and Secretary Duffy is absolutely the best opportunity that we’ve had in decades to do something about our outdated air traffic control infrastructure and build a best-in-class system that our country deserves.”
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian:
“I want to especially thank Secretary Duffy and the Administration for gathering us all here today and taking such a strong approach to overhauling our air traffic control system in the U.S. This has been a long time coming.”
Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan:
“I cannot say enough thanks to Secretary Duffy, to the administration, to President Trump for the stellar leadership to bring everyone together on this problem. This challenge is decades old, but I am absolutely confident that we can get this done and that we are finally going to address the real problem.”
JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty:
“We very much appreciate the leadership that you are bringing to this ATC modernization effort … This has quite literally been our number one priority for decades. I am proud to stand here today with what appears to be a solution and path to move forward.”
“We strongly support Secretary Duffy’s plan to rebuild our nation’s air traffic control system. Recent issues—especially those at DCA and EWR—remind us of the urgent need for a sharp focus on the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) and the dire necessity to address antiquated technology and the staffing shortage.
We are pleased that the Secretary has identified the priorities of what must be done to maintain safety and remain a leader in air navigation services. We applaud the Administration’s budget request of $4 billion for FAA’s technology and facilities account (F&E), which is higher than ever before. However, based on decades of Federal budgets not even keeping up with inflation, the system is in serious need of continued sufficient budget requests as well as an immediate robust infusion of resources.
We applaud Chairman Graves’ critical first step in moving forward on $12.5 billion of funding. As the Modern Skies Coalition and Chairman Graves have indicated, this was a down payment to address these systemic, ongoing problems. Based on our analysis, we believe a minimum of $18.5 billion in additional emergency funding should be appropriated over the next three years above the FAA’s annual F&E budget. The staffing and technology challenges facing the NAS did not appear overnight and will require strong leadership and oversight to hold FAA accountable to maximize the value and effectiveness of these investment resources and deliver a world class system.
We are deeply appreciative that Secretary Duffy has made our nation’s air traffic control system a priority and look forward to working with the Administration and Congress to bring this vision to fruition.
We must act now with strong purpose and commitment.”
National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen:
“Secretary Duffy’s plan cements America as a global leader in aviation, investing in both technology and the air traffic control workforce to enhance U.S. aviation safety and reliability. The swift implementation of these updates is not just important, it’s imperative. We commend the Secretary for his focus on speed, efficiency, and safety and we fully support his call for Congress to provide the necessary funding.”
American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE):
“Modernizing aging air traffic control assets in the air and on the ground will strengthen safety and efficiency and give travelers, users and all Americans an air traffic control system that maintains our position as the global aviation leader. AAAE is grateful to Secretary Duffy, the Trump administration and congressional leaders for taking quick action to invest in critical technology, facilities and personnel. We are proud to join our industry colleagues in supporting these investments in our nation’s aviation future.”
Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) President, Captain Jason Ambrosi:
“As the primary users of our shared National Airspace System (NAS), we strongly support Secretary Duffy's plan to improve our nation's air traffic control system and improve the safety of our skies. This year, there have already been many operational challenges, which underscore the urgent need to address outdated technology and critical staffing shortages. From pilots who navigate these skies daily, our message is unequivocal: Now is the time for immediate, decisive action, with a steadfast commitment to safeguard and enhance aviation’s safety and efficiency.
While commercial airline pilots are trained daily to navigate the use of the current technology while maintaining the highest safety standards, we are pleased that Secretary Duffy has identified infrastructure priorities that align with our frontline airline pilot experience. As key stakeholders in aviation safety and professionals who rely on these systems daily, we applaud this Administration's commitment to the much-needed wholesale upgrade to our ATC system.
We commend Chairman Graves' critical first step in advancing $12.5 billion of funding for this long overdue initiative. The staffing and technology challenges facing the NAS, which pilots contend with every day, did not appear overnight and will require strong bipartisan leadership and accountability to maximize these investments.”
As dedicated aviation safety professionals who depend on these systems, we appreciate Secretary Duffy for making our nation's air traffic control system a priority. We look forward to lending our unique operational expertise and bringing this to fruition as we work with the Administration and a bipartisan Congress.”
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA):
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) strongly supports the air traffic control modernization overhaul announced today by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) President and CEO Eric Fanning:
“The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) reiterates our strong support for the Administration, Congress, and Secretary Duffy’s plan to prioritize the modernization of the U.S. National Airspace System. This focused effort – bolstered by the strategic investments identified in the President’s Budget Request and in the reconciliation proposals – reflects a bold, unified commitment to ensuring the United States continues to be the global leader in air navigation technologies and services.
As a member of the Modern Skies Coalition, AIA looks forward to working with government and industry stakeholders to bring to life this visionary, state-of-the-art National Airspace System and to protecting the safety of our skies.”
U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman:
“We commend Secretary Duffy for his leadership and vision in tackling the urgent needs of our air traffic control system. Prior to President Trump’s administration, America’s leadership too often focused on fines and fees when it came to air travel. What Secretary Duffy announced today will benefit travelers and the broader U.S. economy, and it’s the type of leadership that America’s travel industry has been calling for.”
“For too long, outdated systems and underinvestment have slowed air travel and hampered growth,” said Freeman. “The investment in Chairman Graves’ reconciliation proposal would put us on a clear path toward a more reliable and resilient aviation system—one that can meet the demands of modern travelers and support the continued growth of the travel economy.”
BRT applauds @SecDuffy for taking an important step toward modernizing America's Air Traffic Control System, which will help ensure the US remains the global leader in aviation safety.
Cargo Airline Association President Lauren Beyer:
The Cargo Airline Association (CAA), the leading voice of the air cargo industry, announced its robust support for the air traffic modernization plan announced by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy today.
“The Cargo Airline Association stands shoulder to shoulder with the broad cross-section of the aviation community under the Modern Skies Coalition who came together to endorse the Air Traffic modernization plan announced by Secretary Duffy. We must rebuild and modernize our air traffic infrastructure to enhance safety and improve efficiency for all operators in the national airspace, for the American public and the American economy.
These investments are long overdue, and the time to act is now. We thank the President and Secretary Duffy for their leadership in prioritizing this critical need.”
Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci:
“I appreciate the Secretary’s focus on safety, addressing the foundations of our aviation systems across the country, the root causes of our ATC challenges, as well as putting us on a path to optimize and innovate the technology supporting air space management. As an engineer, I know investing in the right systems and technology can transform the efficiency of our industry, which directly translates to a better travel experience for the millions of people flying in the U.S. every day.
We look forward to working with Secretary Duffy, Acting Administrator Rocheleau, Congressional lawmakers, and leaders in Washington, D.C. to advance these investments and usher in the safest and most efficient age of air travel.”
Regional Airline Association (RAA) President and CEO Faye Malarkey Black:
“Safety should not depend on the size or location of the airport. We need an airspace system that is modern, comprehensive, and prepared for today’s and tomorrow’s demands. Secretary Duffy has prioritized our nation’s air traffic control system with a proposal that will materially improve the safety and reliability of our nation’s airspace and bring strong benefits to every American.”
“This is more than a plan—it’s a promise to every passenger, pilot, and community that our skies will be safer and our aviation system stronger. We must seize this moment to build a modern ATC system that serves our entire country, not just its largest airports. We strongly support this plan and look forward to working together with you, Mr. Secretary, and the White House and Congress to put it in place,” added Malarkey Black.
Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA) President and CEO Stephen Creamer:
“ATCA strongly supports the Administration’s proposed investment in the modernization of air traffic control technology. This historic level of focus and commitment toward this complex challenge, combined with outreach to garner strong bipartisan support from Congressional transportation leadership, has seen an unprecedented level of unity from industry calling for this substantial investment.
ATCA's member companies specialize in the design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance of ATM solutions both domestically and internationally. These companies bring unique expertise to enhance airspace management, particularly as the Administration, FAA, and Congress contemplate investments for modernizing the national airspace system. We look forward to contributing to the sweeping transformation of the ATC system to ensure safety, efficiency, and capacity for growing air traffic demands.”
General Aviation Manufacturers Association:
“GAMA president and CEO, James Viola, was on hand for U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Duffy’s rollout of the plan for building a brand-new state-of-the-art Air Traffic Control System. GAMA applauds Sec. Duffy for his leadership and supports the plan to modernize aviation technology and facility infrastructure and address critical air traffic controller staffing needs. It is critical that we work together to ensure that America has a safe, resilient, and modern National Airspace System.”
National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) President Nick Daniels:
“NATCA thanks Sec. Duffy for taking a proactive approach to addressing air traffic control modernization. NATCA fully supports this effort. NATCA has advocated for the modernization of air traffic control systems and infrastructure for decades, and it is past time that it is addressed.
NATCA is ready to continue working with Sec. Duffy, the Department of Transportation, and the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure that all modernization efforts include involvement from the National Airspace System’s most important resource – the hardworking air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals who keep our skies safe, day in and day out. Their expertise will help guarantee that the state-of-the-art systems Sec. Duffy envisions work optimally,” Daniels said.