America’s skies are busier than ever, but the systems that manage them are failing to keep pace. Now, more than ever, the commercial aviation industry urgently needs to modernize air traffic control (ATC) infrastructure to ensure sustainable growth, higher safety standards, and happier travelers. As CEO of Alaska Airlines, I witness the growing challenges daily—and the urgent need for action has never been clearer.

Surging Demand Collides with Outdated Systems

The U.S. aviation market is rebounding post-pandemic, with 2025 marking record-breaking passenger volumes. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, summer 2025 saw more than 320 million passengers fly domestically—a jump of 7% year-over-year. Rising business travel, pent-up leisure demand, and international connections are all fueling the surge.

But the backbone of this industry—the system of radar, communications, and manual processes that move flights safely—hasn’t kept pace. Most ATC technologies still rely on decades-old infrastructure, with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) much-delayed NextGen modernization struggling to deliver its full promise. Controllers and airlines contend with outdated computer systems, chronically understaffed ATC towers, and communication bottlenecks.

Impacts: Delays, Cancellations, and Safety Risks

The result? Fliers are experiencing more frequent and longer delays. Recent analysis from Harvard found that three-hour flight delays are four times more common now than 30 years ago. FAA data shows that over 21% of flights were delayed in 2024, with causes ranging from staff shortages to outdated equipment.

The human toll is significant, and so is the economic impact: The U.S. Travel Association estimates that flight delays and cancellations cost the U.S. economy over $35 billion a year in lost productivity and consumer spending.

Worse still, the aging system strains the margin of safety. While the U.S. maintains an exemplary safety record, there have been recent scares. Near-misses and runway incursions are reminders of the risk of relying on old technology as airspace grows more crowded.

The Case for Innovation: Smarter Technology, Smarter Skies

The good news is that solutions exist. By leveraging modern digital tools, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and real-time data sharing, the U.S. has the opportunity to transform its air traffic system into a model for the world.

• Digital Flight Management: Advanced software and satellite-based navigation (rather than older radar) can optimize routes in real time, cut flight times, and improve fuel efficiency. Other major countries—like Canada and Australia—already deploy such technologies nationwide.
• AI-Powered Forecasting: Machine learning systems can analyze weather and traffic data to predict bottlenecks before they happen, letting controllers and airlines adapt dynamically.
• Enhanced Communication: Transitioning from voice radio to digital messaging for clearances can reduce miscommunications and speed up decision making.
• Remote Towers and Automation: In less busy airports, remote ATC towers using high-definition cameras and sensors can improve coverage, reduce costs, and boost recruitment.

Alaska Airlines, along with industry peers, has already begun testing AI-enhanced predictive systems in our dispatch operations. Early results show these innovations can save thousands of hours in delays, improve on-time performance, and cut CO₂ emissions.

Overcoming Obstacles: Funding, Politics, and Partnership

The path to a smarter system isn’t easy.

• Funding crunches: Congressional gridlock often hampers long-term investment in FAA and ATC infrastructure upgrades.
• Talent shortages: As experienced controllers retire, recruiting and training the next generation is a challenge that demands innovative solutions, including simulation-based learning and targeted outreach.
• Fragmented ownership: U.S. skies span multiple public and private players. Effective modernization demands coordinated action among airlines, airports, the FAA, unions, and federal lawmakers.

But industry leaders are calling for urgency. In June 2025, the Air Line Pilots Association and Airlines for America joined Alaska Airlines in pressing Congress for a $20 billion package of targeted technology and staffing investments. Bipartisan proposals are gaining traction, recognizing that economic competitiveness and national security depend on the safety and efficiency of our airspace.

What’s at Stake for Travelers and the Economy

Modernizing air traffic control isn’t just about avoiding delays; it’s about protecting America’s leadership in global aviation. Delays and disruptions erode consumer confidence and threaten business travel, trade, and tourism. As more travelers take to the skies—an estimated 1.1 billion in the U.S. by 2030, according to IATA projections—the failure to upgrade could cost tens of billions in direct and indirect losses.

For everyday flyers, the benefits of modernization go far beyond convenience. They include:

• Faster, smoother journeys with fewer disruptions and more reliable schedules
• Enhanced safety and fewer near-misses and runway incidents
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions thanks to optimized routing and less airborne holding
• Greater resilience to weather shocks, cyber threats, and new technology (like drones and urban air mobility)

A Call to Action: Collaborate and Modernize

The challenge of modernizing air traffic control is monumental—but achievable. It demands commitment from lawmakers to secure robust funding, resolve political squabbles, and champion innovation. It also calls for openness among airlines, tech companies, and regulators to share data, co-develop tools, and rethink traditional processes.

At Alaska Airlines, we remain committed to leading through innovation. But we cannot do it alone. Every stakeholder—from government to the private sector—must step up and invest in the smart, scalable, and safe aviation system the future demands.

The time for incremental fixes has passed. If America wants flights that are faster, reliable, and safer, the time to innovate is now.