Multiple Challenges To Implementation Remain

The FAA's Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) is a multibillion-dollar modernization effort to implement new technologies and capabilities for managing air traffic. NextGen’s goal is to significantly increase our air transportation system’s capacity, efficiency, and performance to benefit airlines and the flying public. The FAA’s plans and vision for NextGen have evolved over time, and currently the agency plans to implement all major systems by 2025.

According to the FAA, NextGen is projected to produce an estimated $160 billion in benefits at a cost of over $35 billion to the agency and airspace users.

Since 2007, our office and others have identified a number of challenges to implementing NextGen programs and capabilities. These challenges have led FAA to revise its projected benefits for NextGen multiple times.

Given concerns over the progress and benefits of NextGen, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 20181 mandated that our office study the potential impacts of a significantly delayed, diminished, or completely failed delivery of FAA’s NextGen initiative. Accordingly, our audit objectives are to (1) compare current expected benefits of NextGen to the original projections, (2) identify the changes in NextGen programs and capabilities that have caused the benefits to be revised, and (3) identify lessons learned from developing and implementing significant air traffic modernization programs.

The OPG will conduct the work at FAA Headquarters and other relevant sites. The audit will begin later this month.

(Source: DOT Office of Inspector General)

FMI: www.oig.dot.gov