WASHINGTON – Major U.S. aviation organizations and unions have urged Congress to address chronic underfunding of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facilities, following a series of alarming reports on the deteriorating state of air traffic control infrastructure.
In a letter signed by Airlines for America, the Aerospace Industries Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Air Line Pilots Association, and other groups, the aviation sector warned that “necessary maintenance of existing systems is being neglected.” They cautioned that failing to address these funding needs could lead to “reduced airspace operational efficiency,” negatively impacting the traveling public and other users of the system, including the military. The FAA has yet to respond to these concerns.
In March, President Joe Biden proposed an $8 billion investment over five years to modernize more than 20 aging air traffic control facilities and 377 critical radar systems, starting with $1 billion in 2025. However, the letter noted that a quarter of all FAA facilities are 50 years or older, with the effects of underinvestment becoming increasingly evident. It cited the January 2023 failure of a pilot alerting database that led to the first nationwide halt of departing passenger flights since September 11, 2001.
An independent report from November highlighted severe issues, including leaking roofs, broken heating and air conditioning systems, and outdated surveillance radar systems needing replacement at a significant cost. The report called for “urgent action” to strengthen the FAA, following several close calls involving passenger jets.
The report also revealed that the FAA’s communication systems have been outdated for years, with the agency struggling to find spare parts for many systems.
Separately, the FAA is seeking Congressional funding to hire an additional 2,000 air traffic controllers. A persistent shortage of controllers has led to flight delays, with many facilities requiring mandatory overtime and six-day work weeks to cover staffing gaps. Last month, the FAA extended cuts to minimum flight requirements at congested New York City-area airports through October 2025, citing these staffing shortages.
