“Decades of neglect have left us with an outdated system that is showing its age,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently stated. This strong statement confirms the need to update the United States air traffic control system. The close call last week at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, when a Republic Airways aircraft aborted takeoff to clear the path for a United Airlines plane that hadn’t yet left the ground, is a sobering reminder of the weaknesses of the system as it stands. Although LaGuardia was provided with the sophisticated ASDE-X surface radar, intended to avoid such a mishap from taking place, the accident was caused by a communication breakdown between air traffic controllers operating on various channels.
The incident has prompted federal probes from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The incident was aggravated by the Republic Airways plane having been cleared for departure as the United flight was being routed elsewhere after having missed its taxiway gate. This highlights the powerlessness even of the most advanced technology in the event of human negligence.
Runway incursions, or near misses, have continued to be a problem, with the frequency of such events per million departures and arrivals at about 30 for the decade. Although most are minor, there were 22 serious incursions in 2023, although that was cut to seven last year. This one at LaGuardia joins the increasing concerns regarding runway safety and the necessity for stronger systems.
Secretary Duffy’s ambitious proposal to construct a brand new air traffic control system by 2028 is intended to address these issues. The plan, which would require congressional approval, would involve replacing outdated hardware and software and radar, telecommunications networks and other infrastructure. The plan also involves increasing surface awareness initiative technology to 200 airports, rather than 50 currently, as an effort to reduce close calls on the ground.
The modernization does not happen without problems. The expense of installing high-tech systems like ASDE-X is such that almost 500 towered airports continue to use low-tech gear, including binoculars, to direct aircraft on the ground. Duffy’s proposal requests “upfront appropriations” by Congress and guarantees regular status reports on progress and spending.
Along with improving infrastructure, the FAA is also creating new technologies that would inform pilots of runway hazards directly, rather than air traffic controllers. Honeywell International has tested such a system but not yet seen FAA approval. This would be potentially saving critical seconds in preventing accidents, a consideration for runway safety.
The necessity for these upgrades is also underscored by recent incidents at other airports, such as the “blackout” of air traffic controllers’ radios and screen monitors in Newark Liberty International Airport that caused drastic disruptions. These incidents lay bare the vulnerability of the present system and the necessity for fundamental changes.
The airline, union, and manufacturer lobbies have all been very supportive of this modernization. The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) has emphasized the key importance of air traffic controllers and the necessity of providing them with the best technology and training. Safety first! It’s also about our jobs & the entire economy
As the country upgrades to improve its air traffic control, sights are also fixed on making the national airspace secure and efficient. Changes being considered are not mere new technology, but saving crew and passenger lives. The learning from past accidents, like the horrific 1977 Tenerife runway crash in Spain, still the deadliest aviation accident in history, continue to prod for improved runway safety.
The journey towards modernization is not one for the faint of heart, but the will to enhance air traffic control systems is strong. As Secretary Duffy put it in a recent nutshell, “Our country, our people, those who use the airspace, they deserve… an air traffic control system that’s going to keep them safe.” The moment is now, and the aviation community is ready to make these changes toward a safer future.
