FAA expands AI advice to manage air traffic congestion across entire US airspace
Summary
The FAA expanded its $875 million SMART system to all 22 air traffic control centers across the United States to help manage congestion. The system analyzes weather, flight paths, traffic flow, and staffing data to recommend routes and schedules, while FAA specialists and local controllers retain authority over its recommendations.Key Facts
- The FAA announced the nationwide expansion on November 10, 2026.
- SMART began operating in airspace over Washington, DC, on September 21.
- The FAA says SMART helped reroute 180 flights during its initial deployment, saving an average of 10 minutes and nearly 80 gallons of fuel per flight.
- The cloud-based system uses weather, flight path, traffic flow, and controller staffing data to make recommendations.
- FAA specialists validate recommendations before sending them to air traffic facilities, and local controllers may accept or reject them.
- The FAA says SMART cannot replace air traffic controllers or take control of aircraft.
- The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, which represents more than 15,000 members, said it was not involved in designing, testing, or implementing SMART.
- Before the nationwide expansion, the FAA had extended SMART coverage to centers in Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Miami.
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