Alaska Air CEO Urges Bold ATC Innovation

Alaska Airlines CEO has called for urgent innovation in America’s air traffic control (ATC) system, arguing that modern technology must be fully embraced to improve safety, efficiency, and the passenger experience. While the U.S. currently manages nearly one billion travelers annually with the world’s safest airspace, growing congestion has lengthened average flight times compared to the 1980s, creating delays and economic inefficiencies.

The CEO praised Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford for pursuing reforms but stressed that transformative action is needed. With $12.5 billion already authorized through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, he urged policymakers to invest further in modernization, particularly in proven technologies like performance-based navigation and AI-driven flight management.

Alaska Airlines has a track record of pioneering such innovations. In the 1990s, it worked with the FAA to introduce Required Navigation Performance (RNP) in Juneau, cutting missed approaches by 75%. More recently, the airline adopted AI tools such as Flyways AI to optimize routing and Assaia to improve ground operations, saving 6.4 million gallons of fuel in 2024 alone.

The CEO emphasized that if the FAA integrated these technologies systemwide, airlines could cut delays, reduce fuel burn, and increase capacity while making air traffic controllers’ jobs easier. He called for clear goals, such as reducing average flight times, and for collaboration across government, industry, and labor.

“Modernizing ATC isn’t just about moving airplanes,” he said. “It’s about reclaiming time, improving safety, and building smarter infrastructure for everyone.”

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com