The CEO of Delta says that air traffic control systems are so exceeded that certain commercial flight roads were faster in the 1950s than they are today

Even the transport secretary, Sean Duffy, admitted earlier this year Apollo 13And compared it to a Beetle Volkswagen 1967.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian also revealed that, due to the aging of air traffic control systems, it takes more time to get from Atlanta to Laguardia than in the 1950s when the airline opened this path.

“This is the air traffic control system. It’s very slow. It is congestioned,” said Bastian TODAY in May. “If you modernize the sky, you can bring greater efficiency.”

By modernizing the sky, Bastian means using satellite technology, the latest advanced equipment and GPS. But currently, air controllers are needed to use a point and shooting radar system from the 1960s.

“Screens resemble something from the 1960s and 1970s,” said Bastian. “Our controllers and operators need the best to protect us and ensure that he maintains his security file.”

Delta did not respond to Fortunerequest for additional comments.

Despite an emergency landing dam, machine failure, collision and other air traffic control failures in the air transport industry reported this year, Bastian insists that he is still sure to fly.

“It’s absolutely sure. It is the safest means of transport in the world,” said Bastian. “The most qualified aviation professionals in the world work and operate American airspace. It is therefore absolutely sure. ”

But it is not because it is sure that it is acceptable that the United States has such archaic technology which exploits its airspace, said Bastian.

Although there is bipartite support to modernize the American air traffic control system, it is a process that requires a lot of time and money. On May 8, Duffy and President Donald Trump announced a plan to build a brand new air traffic control system “which will be the desire for the world”.

The plan includes the replacement of obsolete infrastructure with wireless and satellite technologies in more than 4,600 air traffic control sites, by building six new air traffic coordination centers and replacing towers and terminal radar approach control.

“Our anchored air traffic control system affects our workforce,” the Federal Aviation Administration said in a release of May 5. “As Secretary Duffy said, we need to get the best safety technology in the hands of the controllers as soon as possible.” Reuters reported at the end of March, the FAA was short of around 3,500 air traffic controllers.

Neither Duffy nor Trump revealed exactly how much this plan will cost. The Chamber’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee estimates that it could cost $ 12.5 billion, but Duffy said it believed it will cost more than that. The Modern Skies Coalition, an umbrella group for the aeronautical industry groups, estimated that it would cost $ 31 billion or more to carry out Duffy’s plans.

But in the short term, the air transport industry makes adjustments to improve flight delays and cancellations resulting from air traffic control problems. Many airlines reduce their operations in Newark, said Bastian, which reduces part of congestion at the airport.

“Now it’s not good in the long term. It’s not good for consumers,” said Bastian. “It’s not good for the airport itself, but it’s the only thing we have in the meantime.”

A version of this story originally published on Fortune.com May 16, 2025.

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