US DOT: $20 Billion Needed to Overhaul Air Traffic Control System

US DOT Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that Congress must approve an additional $19-20 billion beyond the $12.5 billion already allocated in 2025 to begin a comprehensive overhaul of the national air traffic control system. Speaking at Newark Liberty International Airport ahead of peak holiday travel, Duffy emphasized that modernization cannot commence without full congressional funding. The initiative aims to replace decades-old ATC infrastructure, including equipment relying on floppy disks and paper strips, while preparing for emerging technologies like eVTOL aircraft. The modernization plan includes six new ATC centers and 15 towers with co-located TRACONs, representing the largest ATC infrastructure expansion since the 1960s.