Regulations and Government
GAO: FAA Progressing on ATC Reform, but Needs Better Schedule
GAO report criticized implementation of new air traffic control system
GAO report airport tower
© GAO: Chalabala/stock.adobe.com

A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report lauds the FAA’s efforts to modernize the air traffic control system but criticizes the agency for moving too quickly without the support of a master schedule to track the thousands of projects involved in the upgrades. 

The modernization program is embodied in the FAA’s Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) program, which is initially funded through Congress’ appropriation of $12.5 billion. However, according to the GAO, the FAA will use most of that money to pay for Phase 1 of the BNATCS, which involves infrastructure fixes such as replacing copper wires with fiber-optic cables. Another $10.2 billion is needed for Phase 2 to pay for automation systems that will track aircraft and optimize traffic.

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