The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is launching a sweeping overhaul of the U.S. air traffic control system following the deadly plane crash in Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people in January.
New FAA administrator Bryan Bedford called the current system “not acceptable” and announced an aggressive modernization effort at the EAA AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on Thursday.
Why It Matters
In late January, American Airlines Flight 5342 departing from Wichita, Kansas, collided midair with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter while approaching Washington’s Reagan National Airport. The crash killed all 67 people aboard both aircraft. Investigators confirmed the Black Hawk was flying above the 200-foot limit for its assigned route while the plane was at roughly 325 feet at the moment of impact.
This overhaul comes after decades of warnings about outdated radar systems, under-resourced control towers, and chronic shortages of air traffic controllers. The January crash is one of the deadliest aviation incidents in recent U.S. history, and its location—just miles from the Capitol—brought renewed urgency to long-overdue reforms.
The FAA’s modernization push now has political momentum and funding, as Congress recently approved $12.5 billion over five years, and the Trump administration has proposed an additional $19 billion to fully rebuild the national airspace system.
What To Know
The FAA has faced growing criticism for failing to address years of safety concerns. Recent high-profile near-misses and operational mishaps have highlighted vulnerabilities in technology and staffing. Air traffic controllers are routinely working six-day weeks with mandatory overtime, and the agency is currently short about 3,500 controllers.
Bedford emphasized that parts of the U.S. air traffic control system haven’t been updated in 40 years. The FAA now plans to replace legacy radar and telecom systems, modernize towers and support infrastructure, and redesign how airspace is managed around major cities.
Speaking at the air show, Bedford blamed former President Joe Biden’s administration for a lack of engagement on aviation issues.
“Nobody in the Biden administration had any interest in aviation,” he said, vowing to change the agency’s culture from the inside out. Bedford has promised to be transparent, going so far as to share his email address with attendees, as reported by Reuters.
In response to January’s crash, the FAA has imposed strict new restrictions on helicopter operations around Reagan National Airport. In addition, enhanced coordination protocols have been implemented between military and civilian aircraft near D.C. airspace.
In February, Vice President JD Vance, appearing on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, told anchor Maria Bartiromo that air traffic control is short-staffed, and their software looks “like a video game.”
He also added that under the Trump administration “our aviation system is going to be much safer.”
The New York Times reported earlier this year that over 90 percent of air traffic control facilities in the U.S. are understaffed, citing data from the union representing controllers.
What People Are Saying
FAA administrator Bryan Bedford, who was speaking at the EAA AirVenture air show on Thursday, said: “We can do a better job in leadership. We can help the FAA figure out a strategy, especially around modernization. I’d really like to see us create a culture of trust and collaboration and a little more forward-leaning.”
Bedford, when confirmed to his position earlier this month, said: “I’m grateful for the opportunity to join the FAA team. I have a deep respect for the important work FAA employees do to protect the safety and efficiency of our national airspace. Building trust and delivering results together will be our focus.”
Vice President JD Vance told Fox News in February: “The software point is really important, though, because we know if you look at these old, antiquated air traffic control systems, it really does look like a video game. It’s 30 years old. We’ve got better software. We need a federal government that’s more responsive to the technology that’s out there.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Fox News Sunday in February: “It [Notice to Air Mission] has to be upgraded. That’s in the works. It has been in the works for years. We have to rush this new system online because, again, this is the second time in two years it’s gone down.”
What Happens Next?
The FAA is expected to roll out initial modernization plans later this year, with radar upgrades and tower improvements prioritized in high-traffic zones.
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