What Happened?
The U.S. air traffic control system is getting a technology overhaul, but the money Congress already approved may not be enough to finish the job. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford told a House oversight hearing on Sept. 15 that Phase One of the modernization will cost $16 billion, roughly $3.5 billion more than the $12.5 billion Congress provided. [](#ngr-9f047f6e-dc9c-4a68-8cac-413ba5a0286d)
Why Does it Matter to Me?
Aging technology has been linked to safety risks. A midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in January 2025 killed 67 people after the National Transportation Safety Board concluded that systemic failures in airspace design, safety oversight, and risk management by the FAA and U.S. Army contributed to the crash.
The FAA's workforce plan calls for hiring at least 2,200 new controllers in fiscal 2026, rising to 2,400 by fiscal 2028. Congress authorized a 3.8 percent pay raise for controllers, but only the 1 percent governmentwide increase has been paid; the remaining 2.8 percent is on hold.
Both Sides, Now
Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR), the Republican chair of the House subcommittee overseeing the FAA, warned the effort must not repeat the failures of a previous modernization program. "NextGen fell short, as we all know," Womack said. "This effort cannot fail."
A coalition of more than 50 aviation groups, the Modern Skies Coalition, warned in July that partial funding could strand investments, drive up long-term costs, and leave the system dependent on outdated technology. The coalition called for an additional $20 billion.
On pay, Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote to Bedford in September urging the FAA to pay controllers the fully authorized raise. Bedford has linked the remaining 2.8 percent to workforce efficiency improvements, a condition the law allows but does not require him to impose.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) said it was not involved in developing the FAA's new workforce plan and was still reviewing it. Hundreds of current and former controllers signed a letter criticizing FAA workforce policies, raising concerns about staffing, scheduling, and safety.
What Happens Next?
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has sought billions more beyond what Congress already approved, with earlier reporting citing requests of at least $7 billion above the administration's existing budget. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported a $574 million remaining balance for Phase One systems work, but Bedford's $16 billion estimate signals that figure alone will not close the gap.
On Monday September 21, the FAA rolled out an artificial-intelligence-powered air traffic control tool at the three main airports serving Washington D.C. three main airports. An FAA fact sheet the software, known as SMART, is expected to help reduce delays and cancellations by identifying problems earlier.
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