House committee hearing urges modernization of national air-traffic control system
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Summary
A member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee told witnesses at a committee hearing that the nation's air traffic control system is outdated and must be modernized, citing provisions in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 that require increased hiring and audits of legacy systems.
An unnamed member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee told witnesses during a committee hearing that the nation’s air traffic control system is “outdated and it’s gotta be modernized for the benefit and safety of all users of the national airspace system.”
The committee member said Congress should build on the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 to accelerate modernization, strengthen hiring and improve safety. “This moment represents a unique opportunity,” the committee member said, urging lawmakers and stakeholders to work together and avoid past divisions.
The speaker highlighted three provisions that the committee should expand on: a requirement that the Federal Aviation Administration annually hire the maximum number of air traffic controllers from its ATC training academy; an FAA audit of legacy systems in use; and a mandate for the agency to develop a plan to accelerate replacement of those legacy systems. The member said industry stakeholders — including airlines, unions and the general aviation community — have signaled support for a consensus approach to modernization.
The remarks referenced public attention on the issue following a series of recent accidents, and cited public statements of support by President Trump and Secretary Duffy. The committee member also thanked the witnesses for their testimony and expertise.
No formal votes or directives were recorded in the provided transcript excerpt. The speaker said the committee would continue working with fellow members and stakeholders to find “common sense solutions” to hiring and technology challenges but did not specify a timetable or formal next steps in the excerpt.