ATCA's President and CEO Submits Testimony and Asks for a Seat at the Modernization Table
On March 4, 2025, ATCA President and CEO Carey Fagan provided testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Aviation regarding "America Builds: Air Traffic Control System Infrastructure and Staffing."
The testimony highlighted three critical challenges facing America's air traffic management system and proposed actionable solutions:
-
Continual Modernization is Essential ATCA called for a five-year modernization plan to bring the aging infrastructure below its design life by FY2031. U.S. industry stands uniquely qualified to support this effort, having already deployed advanced technologies to foreign ANSPs worldwide.
-
Obstacles Must Be Removed Despite having flexible acquisition authorities since the 1990s, the FAA has not fully utilized these powers due to procedural barriers. ATCA recommended the FAA work with industry experts to develop a plan within 90 days to rapidly deploy the latest commercial ATM technologies.
-
Consistent Funding is Critical ATCA proposed Congress provide surge funding of at least $5 billion annually for five years to support modernization efforts, with clear performance metrics and accountability measures.
ATCA members committed to sharing their expertise and working with the FAA and all aerospace stakeholders to transform our national airspace system. The goal: shift from spending 92% of funding on sustaining outdated systems to dedicating 60% toward continuous modernization.
ATCA is committed to sharing our experience and expertise, to working with the FAA and all aerospace stakeholders to achieve the goals and objectives as directed by Congress and the Administration, and to assisting in the rapid and continual modernization of the Nation’s critical ATM system.
ATCA's Testimony