FAA To Introduce New AI System To Help Manage Air Traffic As Early As Monday

The FAA plans to introduce an AI air-traffic management system as early as Monday 2026, as part of a broader effort to modernize the U.S. ATC network. The system, called “SMART” (Strategic Management of Airspace Routes and Trajectories), is designed to analyze live flight schedules while factoring in weather forecasts, runway capacity, and operational limits to anticipate traffic flow and congestion. It supports the FAA and major airlines by helping reduce delays and cancellations. The rollout begins on a smaller scale, with SMART serving as decision-support during complex disruptions, not replacing human controllers. The program will open a centralized office at DOT headquarters in Washington, DC.