How old is America's air traffic control system?
Much of it dates to the 1980s and 1990s. Some sites still use copper wire, paper flight strips and even floppy disks. Government auditors found that more than a third of the FAA's key systems are unsustainable, meaning they are too old to keep running reliably.
Answer from Mary's digital twin. Checkmark turns Green once she confirms it.
spio.comOld Parts Still in Use
- Many radar and communication systems were built in the 1980s and 1990s, and replacement parts are hard to find.
- Some facilities still use copper telephone wire, paper strips to track flights and floppy disks to move data.
- In 2024, the Government Accountability Office, Congress's watchdog, found that 51 of the FAA's 138 key systems were unsustainable, and dozens more were at risk.
Failures Before This One
- In January 2023, a damaged file in a pilot alert system stopped departures nationwide.
- In spring 2025, controllers handling Newark flights lost radar and radio contact for up to 90 seconds, more than once.
- In August 2026, a failure at the Minneapolis center grounded flights across 9 states.
- On November 13, 2026, a communications outage stopped every departure in the country for more than 4 hours.
Why It Hasn't Been Fixed
An earlier modernization effort called NextGen, started in the 2000s, cost billions and fell behind schedule. Air traffic control has to keep running every minute while it is upgraded, which makes replacing it slow, and funding has come in pieces. Secretary Sean Duffy said that at today's pace, replacing every control tower would take about 300 years.
Follow-ups
What is the $50 billion air traffic control plan, and what has Congress paid for so far?
The plan is called the Brand New Air Traffic Control System. Congress approved $12.5 billion for it in 2025. In September 2026, Secretary Sean Duffy asked for $30 billion more, and after the ground stop, officials put the full cost of an overhaul at about $50 billion.
The plan is called the Brand New Air Traffic Control System. Congress approved $12.5 billion for it in 2025. In September 2026, Secretary Sean Duffy asked for $30 billion more, and after the ground stop, officials put the full cost of an overhaul at about $50 billion.
spio.comThe Plan
In May 2025, the Trump administration announced the Brand New Air Traffic Control System, a plan to replace radar, radios, networks and software across the country and build new control towers.
What Has Been Paid For
- In July 2025, Congress approved $12.5 billion in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The Transportation Department called it a "down payment" on a plan then estimated at $31.5 billion.
- In August 2026, the FAA hired AT&T to lead a rebuild of its communications network, starting with a $74.3 million order.
What Is Being Asked For Now
- On September 28, 2026, Secretary Sean Duffy asked Congress for $30 billion more: $10 billion for new systems and software, $10 billion for towers, runways and taxiways, and $10 billion for mid-sized airports. That would bring the total to $42.5 billion.
- Senator Eric Schmitt introduced the Modern Skies Act to approve the money.
- After the November 13 ground stop, officials said a full overhaul could cost about $50 billion.
Where Congress Stands
Some lawmakers are wary after the earlier NextGen program ran over budget. The ground stop has put new pressure on Congress to act, and Secretary Duffy says the core upgrades could be done by 2028 if the money comes through.
Can you get a refund when the FAA grounds flights?
Yes, if your flight is canceled or badly delayed and you choose not to travel. Under US rules, airlines must give a full cash refund automatically, whatever the cause. But because a ground stop is outside the airline's control, airlines are not required to pay for meals or hotels, though many waive change fees.
Yes, if your flight is canceled or badly delayed and you choose not to travel. Under US rules, airlines must give a full cash refund automatically, whatever the cause. But because a ground stop is outside the airline's control, airlines are not required to pay for meals or hotels, though many waive change fees.
spio.comYour Right to a Refund
Under US Department of Transportation rules, you are owed a full refund to your original form of payment when:
- Your flight is canceled and you don't accept another flight or a voucher.
- Your flight is delayed by 3 hours or more for a domestic trip, or 6 hours or more for an international one, and you choose not to fly.
The refund must be automatic: within 7 business days for a credit card and 20 days for other payments. You don't have to accept a travel credit if you want your money back.
What You May Not Get
Meals, hotels and cash compensation are generally owed only when the airline caused the problem, such as a crew or maintenance issue. A ground stop ordered by the FAA is outside the airline's control, so those extras are up to each airline.
What to Do Now
- Check your airline's app for a travel waiver, which lets you change dates without a fee.
- If your flight was canceled and you no longer want to go, ask for a refund, not a credit.
- Keep your receipts in case the airline offers to cover costs.
- If the airline won't refund you, file a complaint with the Department of Transportation at transportation.gov.
The FAA grounded every departing flight in the US this afternoon because a telecommunications failure knocked out communications across all Air Route Traffic Control Centers, the facilities that guide planes at high altitudes. Flights already airborne were allowed to land, but no new departures were permitted until further notice. The investigation is live and no cause has been confirmed.
Read that one firstWork it out with people who are also paying attention.
Daily posts and a community reading past the headlines together.
Join me on CEEK
Comments
Comments are public. Links are removed.