Trump admin launches ‘brand new’ air traffic control system: What to know

Transport Secretary Sean Duffy and President Donald Trump, who spoke via speakerphone, introduced a new air traffic control system that the administration believes will present a major update amid heightened scrutiny around aviation safety.

“Decades of neglect have left us with an outdated system that is showing its age,” Duffy said in prepared remarks. “Building this new system is an economic and national security necessity, and the time to fix it is now.”

The administration will look to add fiber, wireless and satellite systems to over 4,600 locations across the country. However, the administration has also set an ambitious deadline of 2028 to finish the overhaul, which the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee estimated could cost $12.5 billion to complete.

“If there are foreseeable issues in the airspace you would expect someone to take actions to save lives,” Duffy said. “This is bold. This is going to be challenging, but we absolutely can do it.”

This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.

This is a developing story and more information will be added as it becomes available.