US Transportation Secretary calls for modernizing air traffic control and points to a funding gap

⏱️ Timeline

1. 14 Nov 2026, 18:03 The US Transportation Secretary said the United States uses old air traffic control equipment dating back decades, stressing that it must be replaced.
2. 14 Nov 2026, 18:07 The Secretary said President Donald Trump had called for modernizing air navigation equipment, but Congress did not appreciate the importance of it.
3. 14 Nov 2026, 18:08 The Secretary said discussion of modernizing the air traffic control system has continued for about two years and that he asked Congress to provide the necessary funding, without further details on the modernization plan or the size of the funding requested.
4. 14 Nov 2026, 18:09 The US Transportation Secretary said Congress allocated $12.5 billion to modernize navigation systems but did not give the department the full funding required, pointing to a gap between the allocated amount and the funds needed to complete the modernization.
5. 14 Nov 2026, 18:11 The Secretary said modernization of the US aviation system enjoys support from both the Republican and Democratic parties, and that most of the funds allocated for the modernization are spent in cities and states controlled by Democrats.
6. 14 Nov 2026, 18:15 The US Transportation Secretary expressed hope that the aviation system modernization effort would receive Congress's support and bipartisan cooperation, confirming continued engagement with lawmakers to that end.

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