FAA Could Get $4B for ATC Upgrades in 2027 Budget

White House request calls for a $481 million increase to the agency’s operations account.

Jack Daleo

Friday, April 03, 2026 at 05:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Requested funding is intended to support the FAA’s efforts to sustain and modernize the nation’s air traffic control (ATC) system. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The White House's FY27 budget requests an additional $4 billion for the FAA's Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) to modernize air traffic facilities and equipment, supplementing $12.5 billion previously allocated.
The budget supports a significant air traffic controller hiring surge, aiming for 8,900 new ATCs by 2028, utilizing streamlined processes and incentives.
Funding for these FAA initiatives comes at the cost of a proposed $372 million cut to the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, which subsidizes flights to small communities, citing concerns over its effectiveness and ballooning costs.
Despite the substantial funding, FAA officials believe more is needed for comprehensive modernization (e.g., a common automation platform), while Congress expresses skepticism about the plan's ambitious timeline and accountability given past project failures.

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The White House’s fiscal year 2027 (FY27) budget request calls for $4 billion to fund the FAA’s three-year, brand new air traffic control system (BNATCS) effort, adding to $12.5 billion allocated by Congress last year.

President Donald Trump requested $26.6 billion for the Transportation Department (DOT) overall, a $1.6 billion or 6.3 percent increase over 2026 funding levels. Of that, $4 billion would be set aside for air traffic control (ATC) “facilities and equipment” upgrades.