Key facts
- The FAA is launching an $875 million AI software program called SMART to manage air traffic.
- SMART will initially be deployed in the Washington D.C. area before a nationwide rollout.
- The system uses AI to predict air traffic flows and identify potential conflicts.
- SMART aims to reduce fuel burn, improve on-time performance, and speed up recovery from disruptions.
- The program is part of a 12-year contract with Air Space Intelligence.
- The FAA faces challenges including aging equipment and a shortage of air traffic controllers.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is preparing to launch its new AI-driven air traffic management system, SMART, a program valued at $875 million. The system is designed to assist air traffic controllers by predicting flight flows and identifying potential conflicts, aiming to improve efficiency and reduce congestion across the U.S. national airspace.
The initial deployment is slated for the airspace above the Washington D.C. area, covering its three major airports, with a nationwide rollout planned thereafter. SMART utilizes AI models that consider operational factors such as airline schedules, weather patterns, and airport capacity to provide a shared view of conditions for the FAA, airlines, and aircraft operators. This initiative is part of a larger, 12-year contract with Air Space Intelligence, the company behind the system.
While the goals of SMART include reducing aircraft fuel burn and improving on-time performance, some in the airline industry expressed confusion regarding its deployment. Concerns were reportedly eased after the FAA clarified that SMART would provide "alternative route information" without altering existing procedures for controllers or airlines.
The FAA's push for AI-assisted air traffic management occurs alongside a multi-billion-dollar effort to upgrade aging infrastructure, including radar systems and communication equipment. The agency is also contending with a long-standing shortage of air traffic controllers, exacerbated by past government shutdowns and hiring challenges. The workforce has declined over the past decade, and recruitment efforts have faced complications. In 2025, some probationary hires were laid off by a government efficiency team, though air traffic controllers were spared. The workforce also experienced stress during a 43-day government shutdown in late 2025, with reports of increased retirements and trainee losses.
Philip Mann, a consultant and former FAA employee, noted that the SMART system's risk is reduced by a phased rollout. He emphasized the importance of evidence gates for future expansions, particularly regarding performance under real-world conditions and accountability for incorrect predictions. The FAA has also reduced its estimated controller requirements for the coming years, potentially betting on new technologies like SMART to mitigate the shortage.
A deadly collision in January 2025 near Washington National Airport, which resulted in 67 fatalities, highlighted the critical issue of airport tower understaffing, with investigators citing it as a causal factor.