Modern Skies Coalition Backs Transportation Bill

Legislation would increase FAA funding by $1.5 billion.

Zach Vasile

Friday, January 23, 2026 at 02:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Air traffic control tower at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The Modern Skies Coalition, comprising aerospace manufacturers, trade associations, and labor unions, is advocating for a congressional appropriations bill to significantly increase funding for the FAA and the nation's air traffic control (ATC) system.
The proposed FY 2026 THUD bill would boost the FAA's budget to $22.2 billion, allocating $10.3 billion for ATC operations (including hiring 2,500 new controllers) and $4 billion for facility and equipment upgrades, with the goal of improving safety and preventing future federal shutdowns.

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A coalition of aerospace manufacturers, trade associations, and labor unions focused on modernizing the nation’s airspace is throwing its support behind a transportation appropriations bill in Congress that would increase funding for the FAA and the air traffic control (ATC) system.

According to a summary released by the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026 would grow the FAA’s budget by $1.5 billion to around $22.2 billion. $10.3 billion would be used to fund ATC operations and hire about 2,500 controllers to replace the retiring workforce.