The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is preparing to screen over 18 million travelers during the Memorial Day weekend, while the Department of Transportation unveils a new website to monitor the $12.5 billion initiative aimed at modernizing the nation’s air traffic control system.
The website, named Modern Skies, provides details on more than 10,000 projects currently underway across the country. It features summaries of key projects and a monthly updated progress tracker, illustrating the status of completed work and ongoing projects. Additionally, the site includes an interactive map that allows users to examine projects by city, state, airport, ZIP code, or congressional district to view completed tasks and upcoming initiatives for the next month.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy expressed that a lack of transparency hindered previous air traffic control modernization efforts. “We’re taking a different approach — letting every American get a front row view of how President Trump is revolutionizing our skies,” Duffy stated in a statement to CBS News. The projected 5.4 million flights between Memorial Day and Labor Day emphasize the need for these improvements, according to Duffy.
The funding for the modernization effort comes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, aimed at upgrading aged infrastructure. Improvements include installation of new radar systems, radios, fiber-optic cables, and advanced aircraft tracking technology for monitoring planes both on the ground and while airborne. Duffy anticipates completing major upgrades to the nation’s aviation system by 2028. Planned enhancements comprise:
- Replacing copper wire telecommunications connections
- 27,000 new radios
- 450 new digital voice switches
- 612 new radar systems
- Surface awareness surveillance systems in over 200 airports
- Upgrading hundreds of control towers
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford highlighted the transformation of air traffic control systems, saying, “The FAA is undertaking the most significant transformation of America’s air traffic control system in generations, and we are committed to being transparent and accountable every step of the way,” in a statement.
During a Senate hearing, Bedford addressed the mounting pressure on air traffic control, noting that with over 18 million flights and more than a billion passenger journeys annually, the current system has reached its capacity. The U.S. aviation system, considered the largest and most complex worldwide, now contends with new challenges from drones, advanced air mobility, supersonic operations, and frequent space launches.
Bedford is advocating for Congress to provide necessary funding for the modernization efforts. Duffy, during an interview with CBS News in April, commemorated the first anniversary of his modernization efforts, stating, “We have a two-and-a-half-year window, and we’re going to accomplish what we promised.”
The new website indicates that the work to replace copper wiring is 51% complete, while 18% of radio conversions are done. Future projects slated for the next month involve installing new surface awareness systems at two airports and deploying a fresh radar system.
Duffy and Bedford are currently seeking additional funding from Congress to develop a range of AI software tools intended to enhance efficiency and safety in the skies. Duffy explained that these tools would proactively manage flight schedules to prevent delays, stating, “This software will say, we can see this 45 days out. Let’s manage that before it actually happens.” This involves adjusting flight timings by a few minutes to prevent delays.
Kathryn Krupnik and Sarah Ploss contributed to this report.
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