US DOT: $20 Billion Needed to Overhaul Air Traffic Control System
US Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has issued an urgent call to Congress for an additional $19-20 billion in funding to begin modernizing the nation’s air traffic control system, warning that without these resources, no work can commence on the comprehensive overhaul.
Speaking at Newark Liberty International Airport on November 25, 2025, ahead of the Thanksgiving travel surge, Duffy underscored the critical need for ATC modernization. He noted that while Newark experienced two brief radar outages last spring—each lasting approximately 90 seconds—the incidents highlighted vulnerabilities in aging infrastructure that has relied on obsolete technology for decades.
“It’s going to be the busiest Thanksgiving we’ve had, and the busiest Christmas, and as it gets busier, it underscores the point that we need a brand new air traffic control system,” Duffy stated. He emphasized that future airspace integration of eVTOL aircraft and other emerging technologies would further strain the current system.
The DOT secured $12.5 billion in initial funding through the “Big Beautiful Bill,” but Duffy characterized this as merely a down payment. The additional $19-20 billion is essential to execute the full modernization strategy announced by the Trump administration in May 2025.
The modernization plan represents an ambitious infrastructure initiative—the most significant ATC expansion since the 1960s. It calls for construction of six new air traffic control centers and 15 new towers with co-located Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACONs). However, the immediate priority involves upgrading existing infrastructure, including replacement of aging radars, radios, surveillance systems, and automation equipment still dependent on floppy disks and paper documentation.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford joined Duffy at Newark’s ATC tower, where both officials emphasized the system’s resilience during peak travel periods while acknowledging current measures represent temporary solutions. “This is our Super Bowl,” Bedford said, referencing anticipated holiday flight volumes.
Both officials noted that recent staffing improvements, though valuable, are interim measures pending full modernization implementation. Bedford stressed that long-term success requires replacing aging infrastructure systematically.
The funding impasse creates a critical bottleneck. Until Congress approves the remaining funds, the FAA cannot initiate the broader modernization program. Additionally, the agency is in final stages of selecting a prime systems integrator to manage the program; pending this contract award, allocated funds remain unutilized.
Industry stakeholders have identified labor availability, equipment procurement, and contractor qualifications as significant implementation challenges. Nevertheless, Duffy emphasized bipartisan support exists for modernization and stressed the urgency of immediate congressional action.
The window for modernization is narrowing as commercial aviation demand continues rising. Without infrastructure upgrades, the ATC system faces increasing strain from both conventional aircraft and emerging technologies like urban air mobility.
Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764104434307-958