A new Senate bill seeks $30 billion to complete modernisation of the US air traffic control system, on top of the $12.5 billion Congress already approved in 2025.

The Modern Skies Act, introduced in the US Senate, represents the largest single funding push yet for the FAA's infrastructure overhaul. The requested $30 billion comes in addition to the $12.5 billion in ATC investment that Congress signed off in 2025, bringing the total federal commitment toward the programme to $42.5 billion if the new measure passes.

Who is behind the bill?

US Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has spearheaded the effort to complete the ATC modernisation programme. The legislation also carries the backing of a broad coalition of aviation organisations, operating under the banner of the Modern Skies Coalition.

Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt is associated with the measure, according to the bill's tag record. The proposal now moves through the Senate legislative process, where it will require both committee action and a floor vote before the funding reaches the FAA.

What does the funding cover?

The bill targets completion of air traffic control modernisation — a programme that has drawn sustained scrutiny from the Government Accountability Office over cost, schedule and execution risks. The 2025 appropriation of $12.5 billion financed the early phases of the effort; the Senate's new request would fund the remainder of the work.

The specifics of how the $30 billion would be allocated across FAA systems, facilities and equipment remain subject to the legislative text and subsequent appropriations.

Why does it matter for airlines?

ATC modernisation has direct consequences for US airspace capacity. Airlines and other operators have argued that aging infrastructure constrains throughput at major hubs, contributing to delays and operational disruption during peak periods. Industry support for the Modern Skies Coalition reflects the sector's view that completing the programme is a capacity and reliability issue, not merely a technology upgrade.

For carriers, the pace of congressional action will shape when modernised systems translate into measurable gains in airspace efficiency. The $42.5 billion combined commitment, if fully appropriated, would rank among the most significant federal investments in US air traffic infrastructure in decades.

The bill's progression through the Senate — and its companion path in the House — will determine whether the FAA receives the funding needed to finish the modernisation effort on the timeline Duffy and industry stakeholders have outlined.