Leaders from the country’s biggest airlines are calling on Congress to fix what they say is a broken air traffic control system. In a joint statement, the CEOs of American, United, Delta, Southwest, JetBlue, and others urged lawmakers to fund a serious upgrade of the nation’s aging aviation infrastructure.
The message is clear: delays, technical failures, and staffing shortages are getting worse, and passengers are the ones feeling the impact. Some airlines pointed to a string of close calls and operational slowdowns as signs that the system is no longer keeping pace with demand.
The FAA is already stretched thin. Many radar systems in use today are decades old, and the agency has struggled to hire and train enough air traffic controllers to meet current needs. While Congress is considering a $12.5 billion investment package, the airlines say that’s not enough. They’re asking for more than double that — at least $31 billion over the next few years.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has also backed the call, noting that upgrades to radar, airport towers, and tracking systems can’t wait. The FAA wants to replace equipment at hundreds of locations, expand next-gen tracking networks, and improve ground safety systems at major airports.
As traffic continues to rebound after the pandemic, pressure is mounting to prevent further bottlenecks and safety risks. The airline leaders say this isn’t just about avoiding delays. It’s about keeping the skies safe, and making sure the U.S. air travel system can hold up under the pressure of modern demand.