Regulations and Government
Senator Ted Cruz Calls for U.S. ATC System Overhaul
Doesn’t specifically mention ATC but Cruz said the system must be changed
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas)
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) addressed the Aero Club of Washington. © Kerry Lynch/AIN

Without specifically mentioning the word “privatization,” U.S. Senate Commerce Committee chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) yesterday issued a call to action to the aviation community to work together on an overhaul of the nation’s air traffic control (ATC) system.

During a speech before the Aero Club of Washington on Thursday, Cruz noted that the recent series of fatal crashes only underscored the need to update the nation’s aging air traffic system. Calling the ATC system antiquated and based on World War II technology, he further pointed out that the air traffic controllers are still using paper strips and floppy disks, and of the 300 ATC facilities, only 23 have met staffing standards.

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