Georgia Joins Illinois, New York, California, Texas, Ohio, and Others to Revive Air Travel Connectivity Across US with a Major Investment Plan in 2026: Everything You Need to Know

Published on December 4, 2025

Georgia has joined Illinois, New York, California, Texas, Ohio, and other states in a major investment plan for 2026, aiming to revive air travel connectivity across the US. This initiative focuses on modernizing infrastructure and enhancing flight efficiency, with a particular emphasis on upgrading air traffic control systems, improving radar technologies, and addressing staffing shortages. By prioritizing these key areas, the plan is designed to boost operational efficiency, reduce congestion, and prepare the US aviation sector for the growing demand in the coming years.

Major Funding & Modernization Plan for US Air Traffic Control System

A significant funding and modernization initiative has been launched to overhaul the United States’ air traffic control (ATC) system, with a total projected cost exceeding $31 billion. Spearheaded by a new legislative package and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), this effort seeks to replace the outdated ATC infrastructure. The plan begins with an initial investment of $12.5 billion, allocated through the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (H.R. 1), signed into law in July 2025. Furthermore, a proposal for an additional $15 billion, backed by the “Modern Skies Coalition” of over 50 aviation organizations, aims to enhance infrastructure and staffing. The FAA’s FY 2026 budget request includes $5 billion to improve critical systems, implement NextGen technologies, and address repair backlogs. In addition, $8 billion has been allocated over the next five years to modernize 377 radar systems and replace more than 20 ATC facilities as part of the FY 2025/2026 budgets.

States Benefiting from US Air Traffic Control Modernization Efforts

• California: California, home to major airports like Los Angeles International (LAX) and San Francisco International (SFO), will see significant upgrades in ATC facilities, radar systems, and telecommunications. The state’s air traffic control centers will be modernized to handle growing air traffic more efficiently.
• Texas: Texas, with its large airports such as Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), will benefit from new radar systems, improved runway safety technologies, and investments in air traffic control workforce development to address staffing shortages.
• Florida: Florida, with high air traffic due to popular tourist destinations like Orlando and Miami, will receive funding for infrastructure improvements, including new control centers and radar system replacements. The state’s modernization will help enhance air safety and efficiency, particularly during peak travel seasons.
• New York: New York, home to several major airports including John F. Kennedy (JFK) and LaGuardia, will receive upgrades in both infrastructure and technology. Modernizing its ATC facilities and improving digital communications will enhance air traffic management in this highly congested airspace.
• Illinois: Illinois, with Chicago O’Hare International (ORD) as a key hub, will benefit from substantial investments in radar systems, NextGen technologies, and the replacement of aging ATC facilities, ensuring smoother operations in one of the busiest airspaces in the U.S.
• Georgia: Georgia’s Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), the busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic, will receive significant investments in radar systems, telecommunications, and air traffic control technology to support its high volume of daily flights and improve overall airspace efficiency.
• Nevada: Nevada, with its growing tourism and air traffic needs, will see advancements in air traffic control technology, especially in the modernization of radar systems and communications infrastructure, ensuring safer and more efficient flights in and out of cities like Las Vegas.
• Virginia: Virginia will benefit from the modernization of ATC facilities and communications systems, particularly with Washington D.C.’s busy airports such as Reagan National and Dulles International. This investment will help address congestion and improve the efficiency of air traffic in the nation’s capital region.
• Ohio: Ohio will see improvements in ATC infrastructure and radar systems, particularly around major airports like Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE) and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG). These upgrades will enhance air traffic management and reduce congestion in the state’s airspace.
• Arizona: Arizona, with major hubs such as Phoenix Sky Harbor International, will receive investments in new radar systems and telecommunications technologies, which will help improve air traffic efficiency and safety, particularly in high-traffic tourist seasons.

Key Areas of Investment in US Air Traffic Control Modernization

The US government is dedicating significant resources to modernizing the air traffic control (ATC) system, focusing on three main areas: Technology, Infrastructure, and Workforce.

Technology & Systems Overhaul

A major component of the modernization effort involves replacing outdated legacy systems with advanced, digital solutions.

• Telecommunications: $4.75 billion will modernize telecommunications infrastructure, transitioning from old copper-based systems to fiber, wireless, and satellite IP-based technologies across over 4,600 sites.
• Radar Systems: $3 billion is allocated to replace more than 600 outdated radar systems, ensuring more reliable and efficient air traffic management.
• Data Communications (Data Comm): This will enable text-based communications between controllers and pilots, reducing errors and congestion.
• Performance-Based Navigation (PBN): Utilizing GPS and satellite technology to provide more precise and efficient flight routing.
• Digital Information Displays: $300 million is allocated to replace paper-based displays with centralized digital systems at all ATC facilities.

Infrastructure Replacement

A significant portion of the investment will go toward replacing aging physical infrastructure to enhance operational efficiency.

• New Control Centers: For the first time in six decades, the plan includes building six new Air Traffic Control coordination centers (ARTCCs) to support growing demand.
• Consolidation of Existing Facilities: The funds will also be used to study the realignment and consolidation of existing ARTCCs and Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facilities to create a more efficient network.
• Runway Safety: $500 million will be dedicated to new runway safety technology aimed at preventing ground incidents.

Controller Workforce

A critical area of focus is addressing the ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers and improving their training.

• Hiring Surge: The FY 2026 budget request includes resources to support the “supercharged” hiring and training of up to 2,500 new air traffic controllers, helping to address the longstanding staffing shortages.
• Training Technology: $100 million will be invested in advanced training technologies to improve the efficiency of training programs and reduce the high washout rate at the FAA Academy.
• Shutdown Protection: A proposed bill, the Aviation Funding Insolvency Act, seeks to ensure controllers are paid during future government shutdowns, helping maintain morale and prevent staffing disruptions that could compromise safety.

In summary, the U.S. is committing substantial investments across technology, infrastructure, and workforce development to modernize its air traffic control system, transitioning to a digital, satellite-based network while addressing workforce shortages.

Georgia has joined Illinois, New York, California, Texas, Ohio, and other states in a major investment plan for 2026, aiming to revive air travel connectivity across the US. This initiative focuses on modernizing infrastructure and enhancing flight efficiency.

Conclusion

Georgia’s participation in the major 2026 investment plan, alongside states like Illinois, New York, California, Texas, and Ohio, marks a crucial step toward revitalizing air travel connectivity across the US. This comprehensive effort will modernize infrastructure, enhance air traffic management, and improve overall flight efficiency, ensuring that the nation’s air travel network can accommodate future demands while providing a smoother experience for travelers.