Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian has sounded an alarm over the state of the United States’ air traffic control infrastructure, claiming that due to outdated systems, some commercial routes now take longer than they did in the 1950s. He cited the Atlanta–LaGuardia route as a stark example, where even the fastest current flights exceed the duration of the same trip when it first launched decades ago.
Bastian argued that the aging radar and radio equipment, some of which dates back to the 1960s, contribute to inefficiencies and congestion in the skies. He emphasized that modernizing airspace with satellite navigation, GPS, and more advanced communications would unlock significant improvements in efficiency and reduce delays.
Backing up these criticisms, government audits have flagged numerous Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems as unsustainable. Many rely on obsolete hardware and have critical parts that are difficult to source. In response, U.S. transportation authorities have proposed a multibillion-dollar overhaul: replacing radars, deploying new radios, and building updated control centers with fiber-optic and satellite capabilities.
While aviation remains one of the safest modes of transportation, Bastian warned that the current state of airspace management is simply not acceptable. He is pressing Congress to increase funding and prioritize the modernization of ATC systems before capacity constraints worsen and further delay travelers.
