Rep. Gregory W. Meeks and New York Democratic Members Urge FAA to Modernize New York Air Traffic Control

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) and 15 members from the New York Democratic Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urging them to immediately start a study ordered by Congress to address and modernize the country’s aging air traffic control (ATC) systems. The FAA must work with airports and airlines to assess how modernization and technology can improve operations in congested airspace especially as major tourist events are scheduled for New York and nearby areas. 

“Flight delays across the country caused by outdated air traffic control systems strain airports, disrupt the economy, and impact millions of passengers who expect to arrive at their destination safely and on time,” Rep. Meeks said. “As we prepare to welcome the world for America250, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Summer Olympic Games, it is imperative that our systems are ready to safely and efficiently manage the surge in traffic so visitors can experience the best of our nation without disruption.” 

More than 142 million passengers, from daily commuters to international visitors, traveled through the New York City region’s airports in 2024. The upcoming mega-decade of events is expected to drive record levels of travel to the United States making the need for the FAA to modernize air traffic control systems even more urgent.

The Members wrote in the letter:

“We appreciate the FAA’s commitment to modernizing the nation’s airspace and look forward to swift implementation now that a prime integrator is in place. To ensure that public investment delivers maximum public benefit, federal ATC modernization must focus first on the areas where improvements will have the greatest national impact. With its unmatched passenger volume and critical role in the broader aviation network, the New York region must be a top priority for modernization. Accordingly, we urge the FAA to proceed without delay in launching the required ATC modernization study and to ensure the needs of the New York region are fully prioritized and addressed.”

Read the full letter, here.

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