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 $4 billion for the FAA's new Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS), contributing to a total of at least $16.5 billion for upgrades like new radios, digital voice switches, and facility modernization.
An additional $481 million is requested for FAA operations, supporting an ambitious hiring surge to recruit at least 8,900 new air traffic controllers by 2028, despite stalled legislative efforts to increase ATC salaries and ensure pay during shutdowns.
The budget proposes a significant $372 million cut to the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, which subsidizes flights to small communities, citing concerns about its cost-effectiveness and rapid increase in spending.
While the FAA seeks up to $20 billion more for comprehensive modernization, including a critical common automation platform, Congress is scrutinizing the accountability and effectiveness of the initial $12.5 billion allocation 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.