GAO Report Notes Uneven Progress in FAA NextGen Implementation

GAO: ‘Mixed Progress’ for FAA’s NextGen Plan

A new report shows the agency has missed milestones in its ATC modernization plan

Air traffic control tower cab — A new U.S. government General Accountability Office report found the FAA met some of its NextGen air traffic control modernization goals, but missed others.

By Gordon Gilbert • Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

December 12, 2023

Since 2018, the FAA has experienced “mixed progress” in meeting milestones in its ongoing effort to modernize air traffic management, known as the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), according to a new report from the Goverment Accountability Office (GAO). “This mixed progress has slowed FAA's NextGen efforts...to improve the safety and efficiency of air travel and address growing congestion in the national airspace.”

For example, the GAO commends the FAA for beating its milestone date for deploying more reliable digital communication services at ATC towers. However, the agency did not deploy initial services to all 20 facilities serving en route flights by its September 2021 milestone. As of August, the FAA still has not completed the deployment of those services at eight en route facilities. But the GAO concedes that the “pandemic played a large part in missed milestones.”

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.