JavaScript Required

Jumpseat Aerospace News requires JavaScript to function. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings to continue.

FAA Expands AI Traffic Planning Tool Nationwide

November 11, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

FAA expands AI-assisted traffic planning tool to all 22 US air route centers.
Tool helped reroute 180 flights in Washington area.
Average savings of 10 minutes and 80 gallons of fuel per flight.
System draws on 200 data streams for traffic planning.

Silver membership required Upgrade to Silver to access Key Takeaways.

Upgrade

Strategic Implications

The FAA's expansion of SMART may indicate confidence in the system's ability to improve air traffic efficiency, which could lead to reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions. The use of AI-assisted traffic planning suggests a shift towards more data-driven decision-making in air traffic management, which could benefit the entire US aviation system.

Silver membership required Upgrade to Silver to access Strategic Implications.

Upgrade

What Happened

Federal Agency Rolls Out SMART System To All US Air Route Centers

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expanding its AI-assisted traffic planning tool, Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes and Trajectories (SMART), to all 22 US air route traffic control centers. The system, which draws on 200 data streams, has already helped reroute 180 flights in the Washington area, resulting in average savings of 10 minutes and nearly 80 gallons of fuel per flight. The expansion comes despite calls from lawmakers for a pause in the rollout, citing concerns over safety testing and staff training. The FAA’s announcement was reported by AeroTime.

Source | Originally Published: November 10, 2026

Companies Mentioned