What Happened
Congress Urged to Act Quickly on Air Traffic Control Upgrades
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and major airlines are urging Congress to quickly approve $30 billion in funding for air traffic control reforms, including upgrades to towers, software, and digital systems. The request follows a series of recent technology problems and a mid-air collision in January 2025 that killed 67 people. The funding will also be used to improve airport facilities and telecom systems, with a focus on medium-sized airports. The proposal has taken on new urgency after a major telecommunications failure last week disrupted thousands of flights. According to Reuters, the US Department of Transportation is pushing for these reforms to alleviate congestion and improve flight safety.