The White House and the US Department of Transportation have urged Congress to approve an additional $30.1 billion to upgrade the country's ageing airports and air traffic control system.
The proposed investment aims to address outdated aviation technology, improve air traffic management and strengthen infrastructure following repeated flight disruptions and technical failures across the United States.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
The US administration is seeking an additional $30.1 billion for aviation infrastructure.
$10.1 billion is proposed for air traffic control modernisation.
$2 billion is earmarked for FAA control tower improvements.
$18 billion is proposed for airport infrastructure projects.
$10 billion of the airport allocation is intended for ageing terminals.
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines support the request.
The funding request includes $10.1 billion for air traffic control modernisation, covering a common automation platform, controller workstations and cloud computing infrastructure. Another $2 billion is proposed for replacing and improving Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control towers.
A further $18 billion is proposed for airport-related projects, including $10 billion to modernise or replace ageing airport terminals.
The request was presented by White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who urged lawmakers to act swiftly on the proposed investment.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The proposed investment addresses longstanding challenges involving outdated aviation technology, airport infrastructure and air traffic management. Modernisation could strengthen operational reliability, improve safety and help reduce disruptions affecting airlines and passengers.
Major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, have expressed support for the funding request.
Congress had previously approved $12.5 billion over five years in July 2025 to upgrade the air traffic control system and increase the recruitment of controllers. The earlier funding followed concerns over airport congestion, flight delays and outdated technology.
The latest proposal comes amid continuing efforts to improve the reliability of the US aviation network. In September 2026, telecommunications failures at an air traffic facility in Philadelphia and damage to a fibre-optic cable in New Jersey disrupted thousands of flights across the northeastern United States.
The administration is seeking congressional approval for the additional funding in the final weeks of 2026, ahead of the change in congressional control scheduled for January.
