Transportation Secretary Duffy Critiques Biden Administration on Air Traffic Control
In recent statements, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has voiced strong criticisms of the Biden administration regarding its response to issues in the air traffic control system.
Concerns from the Government Accountability Office
On September 24, 2024, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report titled, “Air Traffic Control: FAA Actions Are Urgently Needed to Modernize Aging Systems.” Duffy highlighted this report in a post on X, expressing his concern over the apparent neglect by the administration.
“A government watchdog warned Biden & Buttigieg about the failing air traffic control system,” Duffy stated.
He pointed out that despite being aware of these issues, the administration failed to take the necessary action. “Look at this report. They knew the air traffic control system was strained AND STILL DID NOTHING!” he added.
Details from the GAO Report
The GAO report indicated that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not made adequate progress in modernizing critical systems, with 17 systems identified as “especially concerning.” According to the report:
- The systems in question vary in age from 2 to 50 years old.
- These systems are deemed unsustainable and are vital to national airspace safety and efficiency.
Recent Air Traffic Control Challenges
Duffy’s remarks follow a recent spate of disruptions at major airports, including Newark Liberty International Airport, where numerous delays and cancellations have been reported. In particular, a troubling incident occurred when FAA air traffic controllers in Philadelphia lost contact with both radar and radio signals while directing planes.
Discussing these events on Fox News, Duffy emphasized that the previous administration had been aware of the issues, asserting, “It wasn’t shocking to Joe Biden and it wasn’t shocking to Pete Buttigieg. They knew we had an old system. They saw the GAO report saying it was about to fail.”
Proposals for Modernization
Expressing commitment to address these challenges, Duffy mentioned collaborating with President Donald Trump to develop a comprehensive modernization plan. “Working with @POTUS, we are going to do what no administration has done: deliver an all-new, envy of the world ATC system,” he stated.
He also plans to introduce new legislation in Congress to tackle these pressing concerns. Duffy elaborated, “In January, I started digging into the FAA and realized it wasn’t just one small part of the infrastructure. It was the whole infrastructure that had to be built brand new.”
