At a news conference in Washington, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a request for an additional $30 billion from Congress to overhaul the nation’s aging airport infrastructure. The proposal follows the recent approval of an AI‑enhanced air‑traffic‑control system that all U.S. airports will adopt by 2028.
Why the funding is needed
Much of the country’s airport hardware dates back to the 1960s and 1970s, with many control towers still relying on paper flight strips, floppy disks and copper wiring. Duffy warned that the Federal Aviation Administration has been forced for decades to merely sustain these legacy systems rather than replace them.
Breakdown of the $30 billion plan
The request divides the money into three equal parts. The first $10 billion would replace outdated 1980s‑era telecommunications architecture and update software that currently traces back to the 1990s. The second $10 billion would fund the replacement of air‑traffic‑control towers built in the 1960s and 1970s and finance new runways at growing airports. The final $10 billion would be directed to mid‑size airports that lack the capital to upgrade on their own.
Economic justification
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford estimated that modernizing the air‑transportation system could save $300 billion over the next twenty years. By contrast, continuing to merely sustain and repair legacy equipment would cost about $1.6 trillion in the same period, according to the same analysis.
Support from industry leaders
Industry representatives voiced strong backing for the proposal. Chris Sununu of Airlines for America, Nick Daniels of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, and Capt. Jason Ambrosi of the Airline Pilots Association all praised the need to bring airport systems into the 21st century. “We’re flying 21st‑century airplanes through a 20th‑century system,” Ambrosi said.
Legislative action
Sen. Eric Schmitt, R‑Mo., introduced the Modern Skies Act, a bipartisan bill that would authorize the $30 billion and set the outlined projects in motion. Schmitt emphasized the urgency, noting that travelers face long lines, aging airports, constant delays and an air‑traffic‑control system in desperate need of attention. He argued the legislation would launch a new era of American aviation that benefits controllers, airlines and, most importantly, passengers.
Looking ahead
Secretary Duffy acknowledged that not every new tower can be built by 2028, but he stressed that the core software and communications infrastructure could be completed within two and a half years if Congress provides the necessary resources. “If you don’t want to do it now, when do you want to do it?” he asked, urging lawmakers to act before further delays erode confidence in the nation’s air‑travel system.
The request arrives as the 119th Congress prepares for the upcoming midterm elections, and Duffy and Schmitt called on legislators from both parties to set aside hyper‑partisanship and invest in a safer, more efficient aviation future for all Americans.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
