{"id":192096,"date":"2026-09-22T15:00:54","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T15:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviacionaldia.com\/?p=192096"},"modified":"2026-09-23T11:48:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T11:48:14","slug":"us-to-seek-additional-30-billion-to-modernize-air-traffic-control-system-and-airports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviacionaldia.com\/en\/2026\/09\/us-to-seek-additional-30-billion-to-modernize-air-traffic-control-system-and-airports.html","title":{"rendered":"US to Seek Additional $30 Billion to Modernize Air Traffic Control System and Airports"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The US Department of Transportation is seeking a $30 billion appropriation from Congress to overhaul air traffic control towers, IT infrastructure, and airport terminals\u2014a push triggered by a severe telecommunications outage that resulted in thousands of flight delays and cancellations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Urgency for Modernization Following Operational Outages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Speaking in Washington, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced plans to request an additional $30 billion funding package from Congress. These funds are slated for replacing aging air traffic control towers, overhauling software, implementing digital upgrades, and executing structural improvements across airport terminals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The request gained renewed urgency after a major telecommunications failure on a Monday grounded and disrupted air traffic along the East Coast for several hours, snarling thousands of flight operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We are going to ask Congress for $30 billion,” Duffy stated. “We have to look at how the country has changed and what the airport needs are.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breakdown of Requested Funding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although Congress had already approved $12.5 billion over five years in June 2025 for air traffic control modernization, officials maintain that significantly more capital is required. The newly proposed budget package is allocated as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n