More Needed Upfront To Fully Fund Upgrades, Workforce Expansion

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said that the FAA’s allocation in the House-approved spending bill will not be enough to support all the upgrades necessary to rebuild the agency’s air traffic control system.

At a press conference Duffy said, “They put $12.5 billion into the ‘big, beautiful bill’ that’s going to go towards this infrastructure project. That won’t be enough. I know the Senate is going to look, can they find money to put into this bill, but we are going to need them to fully fund this project.”

As most are aware, a spate of recent aircraft accidents, controller equipment outages, and communication lapses as well as a shortage of controllers have caused chaos, delays, and cancellations, most notably at Newark Liberty International (EWR). They have also spurred a series of investigations by the agency and the NTSB.

Duffy has also noted several times that low staffing numbers and outdated technology are at the root of the numerous incidents and those will require significant funding.

Secretary Duffy continued to reporters, “We need it all up front, that’s a big ask for the Congress to give us the money all up front that is necessary if we’re going to be successful at this project. And again, you can’t make us go through years of permits for laying new fiber. We need it now.”

“And I think Democrats and Republicans are going to agree that, yes, with certain guardrails around giving you relief on permitting and giving you the money up front with those guardrails, I think they’re going to buy into that idea,” he added.

FMI:  www.transportation.gov/