The FAA took the next step in its efforts to ease airspace congestion, rolling out the Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes, and Trajectories (SMART) tool that centralizes operations and weather, controller staffing, and flight data into a single platform. SMART uses AI to synthesize 200 data streams to provide a full picture of where aircraft are going, how much the system can handle, and whether congestion or weather could create problems, according to the agency.
With SMART, air traffic managers and other specialists have a better understanding of potential pinch points and can recommend changes to ward them off. The FAA anticipates the tool will result in fewer delays and cancellations, optimized airspace, more predictable operations, and, ultimately, lower airline ticket prices.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted the agency’s progress on modernizing the air traffic control system. “But to really improve the flying experience for the American people, we needed to build a 21st-century scheduling tool like SMART,” he said. “By fundamentally reshaping how we manage our airspace and preventing problems before they happen, SMART will slash those frustrating delays, reduce stress on air traffic controllers, and lower travel prices.”
The FAA has begun using the tool on a limited basis around Washington, D.C., and plans to gradually expand it to other parts of the country. Air Space Intelligence was contracted to help build an air traffic center that would facilitate the rollout of SMART over the next few months.
CEOs from United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines, along with Airlines for America, all endorsed the tool in concert with the FAA announcement.
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