FAA’s AI-Powered Air Traffic Management System Could Debut in September

Officials share new details of the Strategic Management of Airspace Routing Trajectories (SMART) platform.

Jack Daleo

Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

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Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Transportation Department officials envision the system predicting airspace conditions up to six months in advance. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA's AI-powered Strategic Management of Airspace Routing Trajectories (SMART) system is set for initial deployment in September, focusing on en route airspace 24,000 feet and above.
SMART aims to predict weather and traffic conditions months in advance, using AI and cloud computing to sharpen trajectory predictions and strategically deconflict schedules, thereby reducing delays and controller workload.
It serves as a strategic planning tool to manage the national airspace system and identify potential overloads before they occur, but human air traffic controllers will remain responsible for safety-critical aircraft separation.
Air Space Intelligence (ASI) is reportedly close to winning the contract to develop SMART, a system officials view as a key component of a larger air traffic control modernization effort.

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The FAA this week provided fresh details on how Strategic Management of Airspace Routing Trajectories (SMART)—an artificial intelligence-powered air traffic management system designed to predict weather, traffic, and other conditions months in advance—will initially be deployed.

Steve Fulton, an FAA senior certification advisor and technical pilot, said SMART’s initial operational demonstration will focus on en route airspace 24,000 feet and above, Aviation Week reported. The deployment is on track for September, he said.