Pres. Trump Proposes Privatizing Air Traffic Control

President Trump on Monday announced plans to initiate “a great new era in American aviation” that will start with the privatization of the United States’ air traffic control (ATC) system.

“Our air traffic control system is stuck, painfully, in the past,” Trump said.

The Trump plan, which still needs Congressional approval, would shift control of ATC from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) into the hands of a private corporation. It also would switch the technology used to a GPS-based system rather than the current land-based radar system, making it more precise, said chief economic adviser Gary Cohn.

While he was scarce on details, Pres. Trump did say that while its primary focus is on safety, the new system also will bring “reduced wait times, increased route efficiency and far fewer delays.” The new governing body will operate as a not-for-profit company and will “not need taxpayer money,” being funded by airline fees.

ATC workers on the front line will “have more financial security, professional opportunity and far superior equipment.” The President said the plan will use technology from companies around the world, though he declined to name them.  

While the current FAA-led ATC system has produced one of the safest aviation programs in the world, there has been bipartisan efforts to rid the system of delays and cancellations. The idea of privatization popped up in 2016 and was backed by both Airlines for America and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, but failed to get enough Congressional support.

The President’s speech is the first in a week that has been dubbed “Infrastructure Week” by the administration. Plans to rebuild roads, bridges, railways, airports and other types of infrastructure are also expected.