Airlines 'Panicking' as Trump Admin Launches AI Air Traffic System—Democrat
The FAA launched SMART Monday in the D.C. area, designed to help prevent flight delays and cancellations.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) introduced a new artificial intelligence-powered tool, SMART, on Monday to predict potential air traffic issues and minimize delays and cancellations. Virginia Democrat Representative Don Beyer expressed concern over the rollout, stating that air traffic controllers were not consulted or trained prior to the system's adoption at local airports.
Beyer accused the FAA of utilizing "guinea pigs" for an untested AI air traffic control system, citing the region's lingering uncertainty regarding air safety following a fatal midair collision in January 2025.
The FAA describes SMART as a tool that provides recommendations to aviation specialists, who then decide how to address potential problems. Major airlines, including United, Delta, American, and Southwest, have publicly supported the system. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby stated that if SMART works as expected, it could reduce delays and cancellations more than any improvements in decades.
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian added that the company fully supports the FAA's efforts to modernize the National Airspace System through investments in advanced technologies.
SMART consolidates 200 data streams, including weather patterns, flight paths, traffic flow, and controller staffing metrics, into a single platform. This centralized system aims to identify potential congestion, optimize airspace, and reduce frustrations for travelers. The FAA claims that SMART will lower ticket prices by preventing issues before they arise, enhancing operational efficiency, improving situational awareness, and helping the agency anticipate air traffic disruptions.
Despite the FAA's assurances, Beyer maintained his opposition to the rollout, emphasizing the need for proper consultation and training for air traffic controllers. The system was launched in a limited mode around Washington, D.C., with plans to expand nationwide. The FAA is reviewing the system's recommendations, while local air traffic control leadership decides whether to accept or reject its scheduling suggestions.
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