Aviation Safety Caucus Co-chairs Reps. Nick Langworthy (NY-23), Jack Bergman (MI-01), and Marc Veasey (TX-33) have called on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to strengthen oversight of its Air Traffic Control (ATC) modernization efforts. The bipartisan leaders issued a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker, highlighting concerns raised in a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report.
The GAO report revealed that more than half of the FAA’s 138 ATC systems are deemed unsustainable or at risk, prompting the lawmakers to demand improved oversight and execution of modernization projects. “The continued safety and efficiency of our national airspace system depend on robust oversight, timely execution, and effective management of these critical investments,” the letter stated.
The lawmakers stressed that while progress has been made in addressing aging ATC systems, gaps in oversight remain. They criticized the FAA’s acquisition oversight council for inconsistencies in assessing high-risk factors, which they argue hinder the timely and cost-effective delivery of modernization projects.
“Without proper and timely oversight, significant modernization projects are not meeting their cost, schedule, and performance goals, putting the entire system at risk of further operational disruptions,” the letter warned.
The letter proposed several recommendations, including:
- Strengthening the FAA’s acquisition oversight council to ensure thorough evaluations of project plans and risks.
- Establishing clear processes for annual budget reviews to improve transparency and accountability.
- Collaborating with air traffic controllers and aviation experts to integrate operational expertise into modernization planning.
The initiative gained bipartisan support, with 28 additional members of Congress signing the letter. Co-signers include Reps. Dina Titus (NV-01), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), and Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11). Several major aviation organizations, such as the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), also endorsed the effort.
The call for action reflects growing urgency to modernize the nation’s aging air traffic infrastructure. The lawmakers emphasized that achieving modernization goals is critical to maintaining safety, efficiency, and reliability in U.S. airspace.
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