WASHINGTON – Following a deadly collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, US President Donald Trump announced plans to push for legislative action to modernize the country’s air traffic control system, calling the current infrastructure “obsolete.”
Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast on February 6, Mr. Trump emphasized the need for a fully revamped, computerized system for control towers, rather than incremental upgrades. “We’re going to sit down and create a brand-new system, not one that’s been patched together,” he stated.
He pledged to discuss the matter with House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, urging lawmakers to pass a single bill dedicated to funding the overhaul.
Mr. Trump criticized the billions of dollars spent on maintaining an outdated system, arguing that a streamlined approach using just a few major companies could deliver a more efficient upgrade. He pointed to air traffic control systems in other nations, which he claimed could have prevented last week’s tragedy.
The fatal crash, which involved an Army Black Hawk helicopter colliding with an American Airlines regional jet, claimed 67 lives. Investigators are now examining the helicopter’s flight path, air traffic control procedures, and staffing levels to determine the cause of the accident.
While officials are still analyzing the incident, Mr. Trump suggested that diversity-focused hiring practices within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may have played a role. He also indicated that potential pilot error by the helicopter crew should be scrutinized.
His comments follow statements by Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, who revealed that billionaire Elon Musk’s team is assisting in efforts to modernize US airspace operations. In a February 5 post on X, Mr. Musk confirmed that his group is working on “rapid safety upgrades” for air traffic control technology.
A December 2024 report from the US Government Accountability Office had already warned that urgent action was needed, citing a risk assessment that found 76% of air traffic control systems were either unsustainable or nearing that point.
With pressure mounting after the recent disaster, calls for reform are growing louder, and lawmakers may soon be forced to act.