“In an era of AI and automation, is the current ATC system really the best we can do?”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, delivered remarks at today’s Aero Club of Washington event stressing the need for Congress to review the outdated state of the U.S. air traffic control system highlighting inefficiencies, staffing shortages, and technological and structural deficiencies compared to other countries. During his speech, Sen. Cruz called on stakeholders—airlines, pilots, air traffic controllers, airports, general and business aviation, new entrants, technology providers, and lawmakers—to actively participate in modernizing the U.S. air traffic control system and preventing future aviation accidents.

In addition, Sen. Cruz noted that Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg will testify before the Senate Commerce Committee in April about the company’s progress on fixing production and safety issues following the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 incident last year. 

Sen. Cruz’s remarks as prepared for delivery:

“Good afternoon.  Thank you, Steve for that kind introduction, and thank you to the Aero Club of Washington for having me today.  I wish it was under better circumstances. While I am relieved all passengers and crew on board Delta 4819’s crash landing in Toronto survived earlier this week, the scale of the devastating loss of the 67 lives from the midair collision over the Potomac, the six people in Philadelphia, the ten souls on Bering Flight 445 in Alaska, and the two dead in the crash near Tucson just yesterday is utterly gut-wrenching. Please join me in a moment of silence in memory of the victims and their loved ones.

“As I begin, I would like to recognize and welcome some of the government attendees here – Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau and NTSB Board Member Todd Inman.  I am grateful for the work you and your organizations are doing and I am glad the folks in place are focused on their agency’s core missions of safety. I originally had planned on using this speech to outline my agenda for the next two years.  Tragically, that changed in an instant.  Many in this room, and across the country, are still grieving tremendously.  You can feel it.  

“It had been sixteen years since a major U.S. commercial airline accident, and now, as lawmakers, regulators, industry, and as travelers, we all pause to reflect.  We find ourselves with a broken safety streak but also with a renewed commitment to eliminate any identified vulnerabilities and make the next streak even longer.  

“Aviation safety is, and will always be, a top priority for me as Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee.  I was Chairman of the Aviation and Space Subcommittee in 2019 and was among the first senators to call for the Boeing MAX 8 to be grounded after the second crash.  I was involved in developing the certification reform law that followed, and of course co-authored the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which made many safety improvements including requiring 25-hour cockpit voice recorders for large aircraft.  For many, safety is also personal; my wife Heidi was due to land at DCA from Houston less than 30 minutes after the crash and was instead diverted to BWI. 

“Every passenger deserves to know that when they get on a flight, they are going to get to their destination safely.  That was not the case for the passengers aboard American Airlines 5342.   

“The NTSB’s investigation will determine what led to that midair collision on January 29.  It is vitally important that we let them carry out their investigation.   

Chair Homendy and her team do stellar work – I know because I have spoken with her several times since the accident.  We will use the information the NTSB gains in their investigation to take necessary steps to ensure a tragedy like this never occurs again. Sadly, this tragedy is reminiscent of one that occurred over half a century ago.  

“On June 30, 1956, a Trans World Airlines Flight 2 departed from Los Angeles on its way to Kansas City.  At that same airport, a United Airlines Flight 718 took off headed toward Chicago Midway Airport.  Roughly an hour and a half after these two flights left Los Angeles, they collided over the Grand Canyon, killing all 128 passengers and crew onboard.  

“The collision occurred in ‘uncontrolled airspace’ where it was the responsibility of the pilots to see and be seen. Among many other factors that contributed to the accident, the Civil Aeronautics Board cited ‘insufficiency of en route air traffic advisory information due to inadequacy of facilities and lack of personnel in air traffic control.’ At the time, it was the deadliest aviation crash on U.S. soil. 

“This tragic event almost seventy years ago raised serious questions about the management of aircraft in our nation’s airspace. Congress recognized the U.S. airspace was becoming too congested, and that a better air traffic control system was necessary. After investing in newer technology, purchasing surplus military radar, and hiring more air traffic controllers, Congress created what we now know as the Federal Aviation Administration. It was then, in the 1960s, the FAA began to deploy its air traffic control system.  Now you would think that the system the FAA operates today to manage the airspace is drastically different than the system first deployed in the 1960s, but you’d be wrong.   

“Air traffic controllers are working on antiquated equipment in facilities that are falling apart.  While the FAA has spent billions of dollars to try and bring its air traffic system into the 21^st century, most of the technology is decades behind by the time it is deployed, requiring tech refreshes almost right away and diverting sustainment funds away from actual modernization. 

“For instance, air traffic controllers will still use paper strips and floppy disks.  If you ask any high school senior what a floppy disk is, you’ll get a blank stare.  And rightfully so.  At a time when your cell phone has massive computing power and can communicate with satellites, the FAA is using paper strips and floppy disks to run our nation’s air traffic control. The United States has the greatest aviation network in the world.  Its airspace is the most open for public use; it has the most commercial flights; it will usher in the widespread use of drones and powered-lift aircraft; and there will be hyper- and super-sonic flight.

“And yet, it simply cannot be disputed the United States’ air traffic system lags behind those of many other nations, like Canada, like New Zealand, or the United Kingdom.  The U.S. air traffic control is less efficient, less advanced, less agile, and, some argue, less safe.  This is not acceptable.  After decades of bursting at the seams, changes are needed. Some are saying Congress should give the FAA more money to modernize its air traffic facilities and systems.  There might be some merit in that.  However, the one thing FAA has never lacked is funding – through the Trust Fund, annual appropriations, and supplemental appropriations.  Money may help, but without a plan, it will be another blip on the radar. 

“Just as Congress recognized in 1958, that the U.S. aviation system needed a transformation, we are at a similar inflection point today.  The systems in use are outdated.  Out of more than 300 air traffic control facilities, only 23 have met their controller staffing standards.  Safety and efficiency are suffering. 

The question of ‘does the FAA have the money it needs to modernize the system’ misses the point.   

“The more appropriate question is, ‘is the FAA even capable of modernizing the air traffic control system or does Congress need to reexamine wholesale how the FAA is structured’

“The FAA has an incredibly important mission to ensure the safety of the U.S. aviation system.  Every day it is responsible for operating the air traffic system in a safe and efficient manner.  But in the last few years we have seen the system face challenges, from the NOTAM outage and ground stop a few years ago, to the years-long slots waiver for airlines in New York.  In New York, a hub of America, of all places, the FAA has been asking carriers to fly less because the FAA couldn’t handle the traffic due to low controller staffing levels.  These are not indicators of a well-managed agency.   

“Congress is not blameless; political disagreements certainly created challenges for the FAA as it tried to modernize. Today is different, though.  Right now President Trump has the smartest tech guy in the world helping him.  If you were to ask any tech whiz, ‘can you ever successfully deploy a tech system with uncertain funding or without the ability to plan long term investments?’ They’ll probably laugh you out of the room.  It’s not possible.  The status quo did not work. 

“Now is the time for Congress to determine whether or not changes need to be made, and what they look like.  And I believe after the tragedy last month, you’ll see lawmakers willing to make changes. 

“Standing here today, I can’t say definitively what those changes must be, but the Commerce Committee in the 119^th Congress will be strongly focused on aviation and improving safety.  I remain committed to ensuring that Congress and the American people get answers regarding what steps are being taken to address these aviation safety issues across industry and government-wide.

“Last week, I announced the Boeing CEO will testify before the Senate Commerce Committee in April to address its production and safety issues following the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 incident last year.  With the FAA continuing to closely monitor Boeing’s production, the flying public deserves to know what changes are being made to restore confidence. 

“In addition to evaluating how American manufacturers can lead the world in producing safe and efficient aircraft, I expect the Commerce Committee will consider tough questions within the FAA and beyond related to aviation: 

“Is the Academy model working?  How can we strengthen collegiate training programs, consolidate air traffic facilities and build new ones?  What’s the future of the Trust Fund?  How to combat GPS spoofing?  These questions, and much more will be raised and addressed while I am chairman.  

The Commerce Committee will also lead the way in overhauling the air traffic control system.  I know this has been a controversial topic for many in this room – particularly within the last ten years.  I’ve spoken with many of you over the years.  

“In an era of AI and automation, is the current ATC system really the best we can do?  

“When it comes to air traffic control – it all comes down to people, facilities, and equipment.  We need to get each of those right, while protecting the rights of users to fly in our airspace.  We need to modernize our air traffic control system, which includes investing in more advanced technology.  To get that technology deployed, we will need to look at how the FAA manages the Air Traffic Organization and whether reforms need to be made in how it is managed, financed, how procurement works, and potentially other areas, too. 

“The time of doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results is over.  In Fiscal Year 2024, the air traffic control system netted 36 new controllers after retirements and attrition.  Our nation deserves an air traffic system that isn’t based on World War II technologies and plagued by vacancies.  

“I am asking the organizations in this room to resist reflexively opposing change and instead lend their expertise and support for modernizing what is so clearly a broken system.  I was a vociferous supporter of President Trump’s plan in 2017, one of the most vocal in the Senate.  

“I intend to engage with users of all shapes and sizes to determine what the air traffic control of the future should look like and how it should work, for all users.  The U.S. airspace is open to all – as it should be.  I will honor that key principle while ensuring all facets of aviation remain robust and can operate efficiently.  That requires a sustainable air traffic control model. 

“The FAA has spent billions of dollars on delayed or failed modernization projects while the users of the airspace are left struggling to grow inside of a broken system that can’t handle more.  When a system malfunctions—delaying thousands of flights, costing airlines money, and stranding passengers—there is little accountability within the bureaucracy.  When a weather system in Alaska fails, the pilots who can’t make their weekly trip are the ones stuck, leaving towns without groceries, mail, and medicine.  When a government service is failing, the public gets ripped off. 

“Something has got to change.  What happened 300 feet above the Potomac River just over three weeks ago was entirely preventable.  It is our responsibility – everyone in this room from the airlines, pilots, flight crews, and air traffic controllers, to the airports, drone operators, general and business aviation, simulator companies, software and technology providers, cargo, and yes, lawmakers — everyone has a role in preventing the next accident.  

“Each of you and the organizations you represent have a seat at the table and will be active participants in determining how to move the United States’ air traffic control system into the next era of aviation safety. 

“May God bless the victims of American Airlines 5342, PAT Two-Five, and all of their loved ones. Thank you.” 

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