FAA Seeks AI System to Assist Air Traffic Controllers

New software aims to anticipate schedule conflicts and improve planning at busy airports.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 12:52am

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of a complex air traffic control system, with neon cyan and magenta lights illuminating the digital infrastructure, conceptually representing the advanced, interconnected nature of modern air traffic management.Cutting-edge AI software aims to give air traffic controllers more time to address potential conflicts, reducing the risk of near-misses or crashes.Washington Today

The Federal Aviation Administration is working with three bidders to develop artificial intelligence software that will help air traffic controllers manage flights across the nation's airspace. The goal is to use AI to anticipate schedule conflicts and improve planning for bottlenecks at busy airports, allowing controllers to make adjustments hours before potential issues arise.

Why it matters

The FAA's effort to incorporate AI into air traffic control systems is part of a broader modernization program aimed at improving the functionality and safety of the country's airspace, especially as the agency faces a growing shortage of human air traffic controllers.

The details

The new AI software, called SMART (Strategic Management of Airspace Routing Trajectories), is part of a $32.5 billion FAA modernization initiative that includes replacing hundreds of radars and growing the air controller workforce. The system is being bid on by Palantir, Thales, and Air Space Intelligence, and could begin operations later this year.

  • The FAA discussed the AI air traffic control effort during a media event on April 18, 2026.
  • An update on the progress of the new system is expected from the Department of Transportation and FAA on April 21, 2026.

The players

Sean Duffy

The U.S. Transportation Secretary who discussed the FAA's AI air traffic control effort during a media event.

Palantir

One of the companies bidding on the FAA's SMART AI software system for air traffic control.

Thales

One of the companies bidding on the FAA's SMART AI software system for air traffic control.

Air Space Intelligence

One of the companies bidding on the FAA's SMART AI software system for air traffic control.

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What they’re saying

“This software, as they look at the flight paths, won't see [potential issues] 15 minutes before it happens .. a controller will get a notice that they could change one of the airplane's flight paths slightly and they can deconflict it an hour and a half or two hours before the conflict even happens.”

— Sean Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary

What’s next

The new SMART AI system could begin operations later this year, with an update on progress expected from the Department of Transportation and FAA on April 21, 2026.

The takeaway

The FAA's embrace of AI for air traffic control represents a significant step in modernizing the nation's airspace management, with the potential to improve safety and efficiency even as the agency faces staffing challenges. The new system aims to give controllers more time to address potential conflicts, reducing the risk of near-misses or actual crashes.