Airport Alert: Aviation Leaders Call for $30B in Modernization Funding
September 28, 2026
AAAE President and CEO Todd Hauptli joined Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and other aviation leaders today to urge Congress to provide approximately $30 billion for air traffic control and airport modernization through the proposed Modern Skies Act. AAAE is a leading member of the Modern Skies Coalition steering committee, which supports the funding request.
The proposal has three principal funding components:
- Approximately $10 billion for ATC digital systems, including $7.2 billion for controller automation and safety tools, $2 billion for more resilient data infrastructure, $600 million to expand air traffic flow management and SMART capabilities, and $300 million for terminal ATC facility consolidation.
- $10 billion for existing infrastructure programs, comprising $2 billion to construct and improve FAA-owned towers, $3 billion in Airport Improvement Program discretionary grants and $5 billion in Airport Terminal Program grants.
- $10 billion for a new pilot grant program for “transitional hub” airports serving between 5 million and 25 million passengers annually. Proposed eligible projects include terminal development, baggage and utility systems, and capacity improvements.
“Modernizing our aviation system requires investment in both cutting-edge technology and the infrastructure that supports it,” Hauptli said. He welcomed the proposed funding as an opportunity to improve safety, efficiency and reliability across the National Airspace System."
The administration is expected to make a formal request to Congress for the funding, which may be considered when Congress returns to Washington following the November election.
Text of the legislation introduced by Sen. Schmidt can be found here: Modern Skies Act
