USCTA Alert

April 15, 2025

Yesterday, a coalition of more than 45 aviation industry stakeholders including AAAE and USCTA sent a letter to key lawmakers that outlines the industry’s recommendations to modernize the Air Traffic Control System – a hot topic in Washington after recent high-profile aviation accidents.
 
The stakeholder letter urges lawmakers to provide emergency funding to upgrade outdated ATC technology and infrastructure and makes the case for expanding acquisition reform. It points out that there are 174 FAA-owned air traffic control towers and TRACON facilities that are in poor condition with many being more than 40 years old.
 
The organizations are also calling for robust hiring and training of air traffic controllers and technicians. The letter states that “modernization resulting in increased resiliency and reliability of the FAA’s ATC system must be paired with a robust and highly skilled federal technical workforce to maintain and repair the critical systems necessary for the FAA’s round-the-clock operation.”
 
The industry letter also includes several references to the FAA Contract Tower Program. For instance, it highlights the need to replace or repair aging contract towers and to equip those towers with airborne situational awareness equipment. It also describes staffing needs at FAA-staffed and contract towers.
 
Finally, the letter includes some key budget recommendations. For instance, it urges Congress to exempt the FAA from government shutdowns “to ensure more predictable funding and support for continued safety and air traffic control personnel hiring and training….” And it calls for a continued general fund contribution to acknowledge “the military’s use of the system and the public benefits of a safe and efficient air traffic system.”