U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy joined Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) to call on Congress to pass the Modern Skies Act. This historic legislation – introduced – will invest $30 billion to modernize the digital architecture our air traffic control system relies on, replace crumbling aviation infrastructure, and build world-class airports across the country. This funding is the crucial final step in the Trump Administration’s historic effort to fix the flying experience for the American people and prevent recent travel meltdowns from ever occurring again.
Key Provisions of the Modern Skies Act:
- $10 billion to complete reliable digital architecture: Upgrades air traffic controller safety separation tools (CAP), builds a more resilient telecommunications system that powers air traffic control (FENS), unlocks airspace capacity with state-of-the-art air traffic flow management technology (FMDS) and proactive AI technology (SMART) data capabilities.
- $10 billion to overhaul outdated airport infrastructure: Replaces decaying air traffic control towers, airport facilities, and runways with state-of-the-art infrastructure.
- $10 billion to build world-class airports: Establishes a new pilot grant program for transitional airports, which lack access to capital but service between 5 million and 25 million passengers annually.
- Transfer Authority to Implement the Brand-New Air Traffic Control System: Provides the FAA with the flexibility it needs to continue its rapid deployment of radars, radios, electronic flight strips, surface awareness tools, and other state-of-the-art equipment.
The bill has support from nearly 60 organizations that represent every segment of the aviation industry, including:
- Airlines for America (A4A)
- Association of Value Airlines
- Air Line Pilots Association
- National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA)
- American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)
- General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
Learn more about the Modern Skies Act provisions here.
“Under President Trump, we have made historic progress revitalizing our airspace. With investments from the Working Families Tax Cut, we’ve already replaced the majority of outdated copper wire with high-speed fiber in our towers, transitioned nearly a third of radios controllers used, and installed new surveillance technology in half of our target airports. We’ve also reimagined how we manage the airspace – deploying a state-of-the-art scheduling tool to prevent delays and cancellations,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. “But to finally fix air travel for the American people, we need to pass the Modern Skies Act. This bill will give us the funding we need to modernize the digital architecture powering air traffic control, replace crumbling aviation infrastructure, and build world-class airports across the country. I’m grateful for Senator Schmitt’s partnership to help us finish the job and deliver real change for the flying public.”
“Air travel is more accessible than ever, but for too many Americans, getting where they need to go still feels like a gamble. Travelers face long lines, aging airports, constant delays, and an air traffic control system in desperate need of attention. That is a far cry from the golden age of American aviation that St. Louis’ own Charles Lindbergh helped usher in. The Modern Skies Act will launch a new era of American aviation by building a world-class system that works better for air traffic controllers, airlines, and, most importantly, passengers. President Trump and Secretary Duffy are tackling these challenges head-on, and I’m proud to lead this effort alongside them to make air travel great again,” said Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO).
“The $12.5 billion Congress provided is a critical down payment to replace outdated infrastructure, but we can’t stop at simply replacing old technology. If we do, we’ll have a more reliable system, but many of the inefficiencies built into today’s system will remain. We need to finish rebuilding our nation’s air traffic control system with the technology and automation that will improve efficiency and strengthen the safety and resiliency of our airspace. The Modern Skies Act will allow us to complete this work and fully modernize the National Airspace System,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford.
Why It Matters:
The Modern Skies Act is the third pillar of the Trump administration’s landmark plan to fix air travel. It builds on the historic $12.5 billion downpayment from the Working Families Tax Cut that has deployed modern air traffic control equipment at an unprecedented rate, as well the recent rollout of SMART– a state-of-the-art air traffic control management tool. Together, these three initiatives will transform the passenger experience by reducing delays and cancellations nationwide, enhancing safety, improving controller working conditions, and generating trillions of dollars in economic opportunity.
“U.S. airlines staunchly support President Trump and Secretary Duffy’s continued efforts to modernize our nation’s air traffic control (ATC) system. In the past year, DOT has proven their ability to use taxpayer dollars wisely, tackling numerous navigation and telecom projects at record speed. This progress demonstrates what is possible when our leaders prioritize sustained investment in the National Airspace System (NAS), but the work is not done,” said Airlines for America President & CEO Chris Sununu. “We urge Congress to provide the additional $30 billion needed to sustain this momentum and deliver a modern ATC system equipped to meet the demand of today and tomorrow. This effort is essential to bolstering safety and efficiency, supporting the needs of the traveling and shipping public and maintaining the United States’ position as the world’s aviation leader.”
“The FAA has never moved with such definitive momentum before. We thank President Trump for making this a priority, Secretary Duffy’s attention to meeting the demands of today’s air transportation network, and Administrator Bedford’s laser focus on getting implementation right. Now, we need Congress to appropriate the funding to finish the job. This is a transformative project, and we need to keep up the momentum this Administration has put in motion,” said Association of Value Airlines President Jonathon Freye.
“Modernizing our air traffic control system was long overdue, and pilots are already seeing some of the benefits from the work that started last year. Fiber is being installed, digital radios are coming online, and dozens of airports now have better tools to keep aircraft moving safely on the ground. But the first round of funding was never going to solve every problem. Many vulnerabilities still exist that can disrupt some of the busiest airspace in the country. Addressing those will require the additional funding that is being requested. ALPA supports this request, and we appreciate Secretary Duffy’s leadership and continued commitment to ensuring that the funding is put to good use,” said Air Line Pilots Association President Capt. Jason Ambrosi.
“Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the FAA are attempting to make meaningful progress in modernizing our nation’s air traffic control system, and NATCA supports Sen. Schmidt’s efforts to secure an additional $30 billion from Congress to continue that work. This investment will build on the $12.5 billion Congress provided last year, accelerate the replacement of aging infrastructure, deploy modern technology, and give the professionals who operate the National Airspace System the tools they need to keep our skies safe and efficient,” said National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Nick Daniels.
“Modernizing our aviation system requires investment in both cutting-edge technology and the infrastructure that supports it. AAAE applauds the Administration’s proposal for an additional $30 billion, including $10 billion for ATC towers and $10 billion for airport modernization, to enhance safety, efficiency, and reliability across the National Airspace System,” said American Association of Airport Executives President & CEO Todd Hauptli.
“Aviation manufacturers continue to invest, innovate and provide solutions that improve safety. As aircraft technologies advance, so must the equipment and facilities that keep the skies safe, secure and resilient. We applaud the Administration’s proposal for new investments in the air traffic control system and airport infrastructure. It is imperative that Congress work expeditiously to approve this critical initiative to modernize and strengthen the aviation system and facilitate aviation safety and efficiency,” said General Aviation Manufacturers Association President & CEO James Viola.
“NBAA stands with the aviation industry in supporting Senator Schmitt’s legislation to provide additional, critical funding to complete the essential work of ATC modernization – a national imperative, as demonstrated most recently by equipment outages disrupting the system,” said National Business Aviation Association interim COO Dan Hubbard. “The FAA is making progress on critical modernization priorities with last year’s downpayment from Congress – updating or replacing telecommunications and radar technologies, moving to electronic flight strips and implementing surface-awareness technology and other next-generation innovations. Additional funding will further transform our infrastructure, and ensure the U.S. continues to lead the world in aviation and aerospace.”
Additional Information:
President Trump and Secretary Duffy have made incredible progress in transforming America’s skies.
Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cut Act, the Department is deploying $12.5 billion at a historic pace– upgrading telecommunications lines, installing new radios and radars, and transitioning towers to electronic flight strips. This deployment is set to be completed by the end of 2028, with all 13 modernization workstreams on track. Track the progress at Modern Skies.
To overhaul the efficiency of the airspace, Secretary Duffy launched Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes and Trajectories (SMART)–a cutting-edge tool that centralizes 200 data feeds, including weather patterns, flight paths, traffic flow, and controller staffing metrics–into one platform to produce recommendations that will improve how the airspace is managed and flights are scheduled. Learn more about SMART and its specific capabilities here.
Secretary Duffy has also worked around the clock to supercharge our air traffic control pipeline and recruit the next generation of air traffic controllers. From recruiting a record-breaking 4,000 controllers to the pipeline to having the fastest application pace in American history for controllers and reaching our highest staffing levels in a decade—Secretary Duffy is tackling the controller shortage head-on.
