Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy seeks $18 billion for FAA modernization
41
NEWARK, N.J. (PIX11) -- On Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy testified in front of the House Appropriations Committee before meeting with airline heads to discuss additional flight cancellations.
Duffy is asking Congress for billions of dollars in up-front funding to modernize the FAA. The Department of Transportation is requesting $18 billion to hire and train 2,500 new air traffic controllers, update key facilities, and replace antiquated radar systems.
“I’ve had a lot of conversations with both R’s [Republicans] and D’s [Democrats], House and Senate, and they are all very receptive,” said Duffy, after Wednesday morning’s committee meeting. “Everybody in America flies. This is not partisan.”
“I think they’re amenable to anything,” said California Representative Norma Torres, who was in the meeting. “But we need a plan first.”
Duffy is also meeting with airline heads on Wednesday and Thursday for a delay reduction meeting. The two-day meeting is designed to reduce the number of flights in and out of Newark through the end of June so the airspace remains safe.
The FAA met with airline representatives on Wednesday, to discuss reducing operations at Newark Liberty International Airport. We look forward to continuing those conversations on Thursday, May 15. Air carriers include United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air.
FAA Statement