FAA chief vows fast time-table to reform US air traffic control systems

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the U.S. needs another $10 billion from Congress to reform an antiquated air traffic control system as air traffic is projected to double over the next two decades. He said the agency is moving quickly to deploy the first $12.5 billion that Congress already approved after years of neglect. Bedford described the current system as extremely safe, but said it comes with inefficiency and inconvenience. He also argued that public tolerance for delays reduces momentum for modernization efforts. The remarks were made in an interview ahead of policy planning focused on scaling capacity and updating infrastructure. The article, reported by David Shepardson, frames the funding request as central to improving efficiency while maintaining safety.