Modern Skies Act Funding
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urges Congress to approve $30 billion for aviation upgrades.
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Sen. Eric Schmitt and aviation-industry groups are urging Congress to approve the Modern Skies Act, which would provide another $30 billion for air traffic control modernization and airport upgrades, in addition to the $12.5 billion approved in 2025. The proposed funding would support updated communications and automation technology, control towers, radar and radios, and airport facilities. Supporters say aging systems contribute to flight disruptions and pose risks, citing a recent communications failure that delayed or disrupted thousands of flights in the Northeast. Some upgrades are underway, but officials say substantial work remains, including replacing outdated connections and building new control centers. Congress must approve the additional funding for the broader modernization effort to proceed.
Key Points
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The Modern Skies Act is described as the “third pillar” of a multistep modernization plan; Duffy had initially estimated the upgrades would cost about $30 billion in total, before seeking the additional $30 billion on top of the $12.5 billion already approved.
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Some technology work predates the current effort: systems to help controllers track aircraft on the ground at 44 airports began during the Biden administration, while Duffy said more than one-third of the old copper wiring had already begun to be replaced.
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The plan’s remaining equipment needs include thousands of new radios, hundreds of radar systems and six new air traffic control centers.
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Schmitt said the Modern Skies Act has the backing of President Donald Trump’s administration as well as a coalition of aviation-industry groups.
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