U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy said the first $12.5 bln tranche of congressional funding is being deployed to modernize U.S. air-traffic control. About 70% of communications links have been upgraded to high-speed fiber; 25 control towers have replaced 1970s-era paper flight progress strips with electronic systems; 143 towers have new ground-surface surveillance technology; and 469 radio sites have been modernized. Work is being accelerated under safety constraints and remains ongoing.

2026-11-15

U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy said the first $12.5 bln tranche of congressional funding is being deployed to modernize U.S. air-traffic control. About 70% of communications links have been upgraded to high-speed fiber; 25 control towers have replaced 1970s-era paper flight progress strips with electronic systems; 143 towers have new ground-surface surveillance technology; and 469 radio sites have been modernized. Work is being accelerated under safety constraints and remains ongoing.