Bill to fund next phase of ATC modernization introduced
Modern Skies Act would provide $30 billion for effort
Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) on September 28 introduced the Modern Skies Act, which would provide $30 billion to fund the second, larger phase of the ongoing air traffic control modernization effort.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy joined Schmitt, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, as well as AOPA and other members of the Modern Skies Coalition at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to announce the bill’s introduction.
- Replacing outdated ATC technology, with most of the allocation going toward updating tools that controllers use to keep airplanes separated.
- Overhauling outdated airport infrastructure, such as ATC towers.
- Establishing a pilot program to build new terminals and expand capacity at many large and medium-size commercial airports.
The bill would also give the FAA the authority to move funds from the original $12.5 billion “down payment,” which funded the first phase of ATC modernization, to deploy new radars, radios, electronic flight strips, surface awareness tools, and other equipment.
“This is probably the most bipartisan effort in Washington, D.C.,” said Duffy. “This town fights about everything. There's nothing that Washington agrees on, but they do agree on aviation. They do agree that we want to deliver a better experience for the American people.”
Schmitt says he believes his legislation will earn support from members on both sides of the aisle.
“My intention is for this to be a very bipartisan effort to solve some of the problems that the traveling public and our country faces,” said Schmitt.
Duffy also said that the first phase of modernization is on time and under budget—and that the entire effort is still expected to be completed by the end of 2028.
“We appreciate Senator Schmitt’s leadership in introducing the Modern Skies Act,” said AOPA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Advocacy Jim Coon. “After the down payment from Congress last year, Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford made it clear that more funding would be needed. We, along with the rest of the Modern Skies Coalition, strongly support this bill and look forward to it becoming law.”
