America’s Air Traffic Fiasco

Here’s why you’re waiting hours to land at Newark airport

WSJ editorial. Excerpts:

"Congress in 2003 directed the FAA to modernize its systems. Yet the NextGen overhaul isn’t set to be complete until 2030."

"the FAA still uses floppy disks."

"76% of FAA systems are “unsustainable” or “potentially unsustainable,” which may have “critical operational impacts”"

"GAO says “completion dates for planned investments for systems” it deems “especially concerning were at least 6 to 10 years away.”"

"FAA labor agreements also require the government to “work collaboratively” with the air traffic controller union on modernization, which can delay upgrades and divert staff from their day jobs."

"The FAA aimed to ease the congestion by shifting control of Newark to its Philadelphia facility last summer, but the union opposed the move"

"Americans who want to become controllers must undergo three to five months of paid training at an FAA academy in Oklahoma City, followed by a three-year apprenticeship at a control facility."

"Half of the students who enter the academy don’t finish their training."

"the best reform would be if the U.S. followed Canada and other nations and turned air traffic over to a private nonprofit."