US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is seeking congressional approval for another $30 billion to upgrade America’s aviation infrastructure, including air traffic control towers, telecommunications, software and airport facilities. The funding push, outlined in Washington on Tuesday, would add to the $12.5 billion already approved by Congress for FAA air traffic control reforms last year.
About $10 billion of the new request would go to airports, while another $10 billion would replace ageing ATC towers and support telecoms and other control technology. Part of the package would also expand the FAA’s new software-based flight-management system. The request follows a recent telecom disruption that affected flights and renewed attention on ageing aviation systems. Congressional approval is still required before any of the money can be allocated.