The Three Steps to Finally Fixing the FAA

As the CEO of the world’s largest airline, I know that cancellations and delays, for any reason, are by far the biggest pain point for our customers.

The facts are stark. Air traffic delays are overwhelmingly because of air traffic restrictions - often weather. But last year, even on clear, blue-sky days, 68% of United’s delays were for air traffic control restrictions. The American traveling public deserves much better. Fortunately, I’m very encouraged that Secretary Duffy and the entire team at the FAA/DOT are expressing a sincere commitment to addressing these challenges. And fixing the FAA really comes down to three things.

Staffing

Number one and highest near-term priority: get the air traffic controller workforce back to full staffing. Air traffic controllers are the central hub of air travel safety. They do an amazing job. But, the FAA is 3,000 controllers short of the 13,000 controllers that are needed. That’s why the FAA faces staffing shortages at 77% of the most critical facilities across the system. We can fix this problem without lowering training standards.

The FAA used to have multiple pathways to become a controller including training with the military, through private certified college programs, and through the FAA’s own training academy. But about a decade ago, the FAA closed all the training avenues except their own single training facility. And unfortunately, at maximum capacity, that facility can only start training 1,800 controllers per year, and because of the very high and rigorous standards and testing, the washout rate is high. Combine that with a mandatory retirement age of 56 and last year, the FAA filled all 1,800 slots at the academy…and ended the year with only 36 net new controllers.

Last month, Secretary Duffy recently announced a plan to “supercharge” controller hiring. That’s good. The FAA can upgrade the training system by increasing capacity at the Academy in Oklahoma City and expanding the Collegiate Training Initiative to train controllers at private colleges and universities, so more well-trained new hires can safely join the workforce as soon as possible.

Technology

The second and most critical long-term fix is a desperately needed technology investment to upgrade antiquated ATC systems and infrastructure. The FAA has long struggled to procure and deploy new technologies. A 2024 report found that some of the systems are so old that they can’t be maintained because their parts are no longer manufactured or because the technicians who service them have retired.

While FAA develops a long-term and transparent strategic plan to update assets and IT programs, it could begin the process of decommissioning outdated and costly legacy systems, directing the money from these systems to reinvest in new tools. In tandem with the removal of the Cold War-era technologies, the FAA should implement all steps to dramatically increase the speed to market of new and innovative technologies. Canada started using electronic flight strips 25 years ago, while we have been unsuccessfully trying to replace our antiquated paper strips at towers since 1983.

Facilities

The third fix is a long overdue investment in facilities. The FAA spends roughly 92% of its facilities and equipment budget to patch together the old existing towers, centers, radars, and other equipment, rather than to upgrade. Ideally, that number should be inverse, with 92% going to upgrade and modernize, and 8% for repair.

The FAA doesn’t just need more money to fix this problem, we need to change how the FAA is funded.

Currently, the funding that supports the safety and efficiency of our airspace is designated on an inconsistent, year-to-year basis. It makes no sense. We can, right now, change budget treatment to designate FAA’s Facilities and Equipment account as mandatory spending. Making this change would provide funding stability for ATC facilities and equipment to allow for long-term capital planning. It would improve staffing, too.

To be clear, our ATC system is safe. When there are staffing or technology shortfalls, the controllers slow or stop aircraft from flying at all to maintain safety. But now is the time to give the greatest country in the world what its citizens deserve - the best air traffic control system in the world.

Taking these steps to finally fix the FAA will dramatically improve air travel in the United States. It is – by far – the most important change the government can make for the American traveling public.

I’m encouraged that the administration wants to fix the FAA and that there is bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for fixing it. Let’s work together to turn the good intention into action!