DOT, Aviation Groups Ask Congress for $30B to Modernize Airspace

‘If you don’t want to do it now, when do you want to do it?’ Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy asks Congress.

Jack Daleo

Monday, September 28, 2026 at 05:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks at a news conference Monday with FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and other aviation stakeholders. [Credit: U.S. Transportation Department]

Key Takeaways:

U.S. aviation leaders, including the Transportation Secretary and FAA Administrator, alongside nearly 60 organizations, are urging Congress to pass the Modern Skies Act, requesting an additional $30 billion for aviation system modernization.
This proposed $30 billion would be allocated across three tranches: digitizing the National Airspace System's outdated telecom and automation infrastructure, upgrading airport facilities such as runways and control towers, and providing grants to transitional airports.
The initiative aims to address a critical need for modern infrastructure, prevent flight disruptions, and enhance system efficiency, despite previous modernization failures and some concerns about current project oversight and air traffic controller involvement.

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U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, and a coalition of nearly 60 aviation organizations have urged Congress to consider new legislation that would funnel an additional $30 billion toward modernizing key aviation systems and upgrading airport infrastructure.

The $30 billion, split into three “tranches” worth $10 billion each, would cover a range of improvements, from the FAA’s new AI-based SMART (Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes and Trajectories) system to new airport runways and taxiways. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) introduced the Modern Skies Act, which outlines how the funding would be used, on Monday.