Trump Administration Seeks $30.1 Billion for Air Traffic Control Modernisation After Major Outage

The Trump administration is seeking an additional $30.1 billion from Congress to modernise the United States' ageing air traffic control system following a major nationwide communications outage that disrupted thousands of flights.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought urged lawmakers on November 13 to approve the funding, saying the investment is necessary to improve aviation safety, upgrade outdated technology and strengthen the country's air traffic infrastructure.

Although the headline refers to a $50 billion request, the latest proposal reported by Reuters is for an additional $30.1 billion.

Funding to Replace Outdated Technology

The proposed funding includes $10.1 billion for air traffic control modernisation, covering a shared automation platform, updated controller workstations and cloud computing infrastructure.

Another $2 billion would be allocated to replacing and improving Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) control towers, while $18 billion would support airport infrastructure projects, including the modernisation or replacement of ageing terminals.

Congress had already approved $12.5 billion over five years in July 2025 for air traffic control upgrades and additional controller recruitment.

Nationwide Outage Highlights System Weaknesses

The funding push follows a nationwide FAA ground stop on November 13 after communications and radar-related problems disrupted air traffic operations. The stoppage lasted approximately five hours before flights were allowed to resume.

Officials said outdated equipment had been overwhelmed by data from newer technology. More than 3,000 aircraft were safely landed, while thousands of flights experienced delays or cancellations.

Authorities reported no evidence of a cyberattack, although the exact cause remained under investigation.

Airlines Support Modernisation Efforts

Major US airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, have expressed support for the proposed investment.

The administration is urging Congress to approve the funding before the end of the year. The modernisation programme is expected to improve communications networks, replace legacy hardware and strengthen the reliability of the country's aviation system.

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