Unprecedented Coalition Supports Modern Skies Act, Calls on Congress to Fund Final Stage of ATC Modernization

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) unveiled the Modern Skies Act and called on Congress to pass the legislation to fund the final stage of the air traffic control modernization effort already underway.

The landmark legislation would invest $30 billion to modernize the digital architecture the air traffic control system relies on, replace crumbling aviation infrastructure, and build world-class airports across the country — building on the $12.5 billion previously approved for the FAA's modernization effort.

An unprecedented coalition has rallied behind the bill, with the CEOs of Alaska Air Group, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest, and United Airlines each voicing support, alongside AOPA, the Airports Council International – North America, Airbus in North America, ARSA, ATCA, AUVSI, APEX, air medical operators, and allied pilots.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby called ATC technology, infrastructure, and staffing issues "the most persistent challenges of my career" and "the single biggest drivers of delays and cancellations for our customers," urging Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle to fund the final stage. AOPA acting co-president Katie Pribyl said the Modern Skies Act would ensure the nation "has the most up-to-date technology in the world," while AUVSI president Michael Robbins noted modernized ATC infrastructure will support advanced air mobility and increasingly complex autonomous operations.

For business aviation operators and the Caribbean aerospace community, the proposed investment targets the same airspace capacity, staffing, and reliability constraints that drive delays across the national airspace system.