AI-assisted air traffic control is coming to some of the nation’s busiest skies
Por Jasmine Fernández — – World RSS Feed
AI-assisted air traffic control is coming to some of the nation’s busiest skies
The software will initially serve only as a real-time decision tool during unexpected disruptions, though it is eventually designed to predict traffic flows and map routes days ahead
Jasmine Fernández in Portland Friday 18 September 2026 01:33 BST
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Federal officials plan to launch an artificial intelligence-powered system in the Washington, D.C., area as early as Monday, the first step in a broader push to modernize U.S. air traffic management.
The software — known as Smart, or Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes and Trajectories — is designed to analyze flight schedules, weather forecasts, airport runway capacity and operational limits to predict traffic flows and spot potential bottlenecks ahead of time.
Developed by Air Space Intelligence under an $875 million, 12-year government contract awarded earlier this year, the tool is intended to function as a central intelligence center for the nation’s airspace once fully operational, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. The primary goal is to help the Federal Aviation Administration and major carriers navigate schedule disruptions, cutting down on delays and cancellations.
Though industry insiders previously anticipated a broader initial release after months of planning, government officials told the publication that the rollout was always meant to begin on a limited scale.
In its current phase, Smart will serve as a decision-support tool during operational disruptions. Future iterations are expected to handle complex tasks, such as managing flight arrival intervals and mapping out routes days in advance.
open image in galleryAs part of the launch, federal authorities plan to open a centralized office for the program at the Transportation Department’s headquarters on Monday.
The initiative comes amid a broader push by the Trump administration to modernize the country’s aging aviation infrastructure through multi-billion-dollar technology investments and expanded controller hiring to address persistent staffing shortages.
However, the transition presents coordination challenges. The FAA has been holding talks with commercial carriers regarding schedule alignment, though industry representatives have raised concerns over how the automated system will operate amid intense market competition for peak flight slots.
open image in galleryDuring Senate testimony earlier this year, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford addressed the need for structural change in airspace management.
“The way we manage traffic today is chaotic, and we can do better,” Bedford said. “We need to manage that at the FAA, rather than rely on commercial airlines to simply schedule however they want.”
Despite operational questions, industry advocates have welcomed the technology. Airlines for America, a trade association representing major domestic carriers, told The Wall Street Journal that the software offered significant potential to boost safety, expand airspace capacity and enhance overall efficiency.
The organization described the project as “one of the most exciting and bold initiatives taken on by the FAA in decades.”
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Federal Aviation AdministrationAirlines for AmericaAIair traffic control
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