FAA Administrator Pushes Back on Watchdog’s ATC Modernization Report

Air traffic control effort seeks to replace, upgrade, and introduce new physical and digital infrastructure.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said Tuesday that he wanted to "correct the record" on the GAO's report. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

A recent GAO report criticizes the FAA's "Brand New ATC System" (BNATCS) modernization program for lacking a lifecycle cost estimate and a master schedule, warning of potential cost overruns, schedule delays, and continued reliance on outdated systems.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford disputed some GAO findings, claiming the agency possesses comprehensive estimates and schedules, but acknowledged that Phase 1 of BNATCS will exceed its $12.5 billion congressional allocation and face schedule pressures due to initial underfunding.
Bedford, while welcoming the report for transparency, stressed that inadequate congressional funding is the primary cause of cost overruns and warned that continued underinvestment in BNATCS will lead to significant air traffic disruptions and safety concerns.

See a mistake? Contact us.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said Tuesday that he wanted to “correct the record” on a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that alleged the agency’s air traffic control modernization effort may face cost overruns, schedule delays, and unmet goals.

The GAO report, published Monday, claimed that the FAA lacks a lifecycle cost estimate or master schedule for its Brand New ATC System (BNATCS) program. Over two phases, BNATCS seeks to replace outdated, decades-old infrastructure and introduce new automated capabilities to improve safety and efficiency in the National Airspace System (NAS).