Alaska Air CEO: Why now is the time to innovate for smarter air traffic control
The American airspace is the safest and most powerful in the world, thanks to the amazing people who run it every day and keep about a billion annual passengers who move safely throughout our country.
Although this system is impressive, it is time for changing improvements to benefit all Americans. This is a common necessity through the ecosystem of aviation, and I never felt the confidence in the leadership that leads this shift. Transport Minister Sean Duffy and FAA Brian Bidford are following bold, urgent and cooperative procedures.
People choose to fly because time is important. My 23C neighbor is looking to spend more time on board. However, with the growth of the demand for air travel, traffic congestion in the system led to longer travel times from gate to gate. The flight date was set about 20 minutes today, from what they were in the eighties on the same roads. There is a real economic impact for everyone. For this reason there is a need for bold work.
By adopting advanced technology across the ATC system, we can increase efficiency and create growth ability. Travelers will spend less time waiting by delaying and sitting on taxi corridors. The operators will be more efficient. Airlines will fly more reliably and provide fuel. More air traffic monitors will be better equipped and their function will be easier. Societies will get more accessible access to basic services. It comes to linking people and enhancing our national infrastructure to reflect the best American innovation.
12.5 billion dollars authorized by A single beautiful invoice work It is a decisive introduction batch. To improve the experience of passengers useful and enhance our aviation infrastructure, we must continue to think greater and move faster, especially by adopting installed technology and enhancing cooperation at the level of industry.
The tools are already. Let’s use it
As a mechanical engineer with 30 years of flying, I am obsessed with improving systems to enhance safety, efficiency and guest experience. Alaska airlines and airlines in Hawaii bring a rare vision in full spectrum in the national airspace. We fly everything, one of the busiest centers in LaX and JFK to remote societies such as Utqiagvik on the Arctic coast in Alaska and Pago Pago in American Samoa. We have prompted harsh environments to devise pioneering solutions that were later adopted at the industry level.
In the nineties, the pilots developed the required movement of RNP to overcome the challenges of the terrain and weather in Junau. Along with FAA, we have reduced missiles by 75 % and significantly improved reliability for people who depend on us. RNP is a high -resolution version of performance -based movement (PBN), which is used in the world but is still not used in the United States
We also use Amnesty International to help messengers and pilots choose the best ways. These tools provide fuel, shortening trip times and improve performance on time. One of the two systems we use, “Flyways AI”, analyzes by the intelligence of the airspace, continuously weather, traffic and other factors to recommend the most efficient path. Another tool, Assaia, helps improve the planes land at the gate. In 2024 alone, we saved 6.4 million gallons of fuel through operational efficiency.
These are just some examples, but let’s ask some bigger questions:
- What if FAA benefited from current technology on modern aircraft and the programs used that can improve the flow of aircraft across the entire system, through all airlines and operators? What if we harness the latest technology of machine learning and machine science?
- What if the time you spend traveling in the 23C seat from the sea to JFK is shorter with the minimum time on the slope and cars?
If we enter better data and technology in flow management systems, we can improve efficiency, develop separation rules, burn less fuel and increase capacity, while maintaining safety as a higher priority.
It is time for coincidence bold verbs:
- Set clear goalsLike reducing flight times.
- Fundamental repairFrom employment to weather infrastructure in rural areas.
- Embrace and promote installed technology To improve air traffic flow.
- Cooperation Cooperation Through the government, industry and work.
The complexity requires simultaneous and timely procedures
Let’s fix what is required today – physical infrastructure, communications systems and employees – with a great development in how to manage air traffic. Modern aircraft can fly accurate ways and arrive at exact times. Commercial airlines already use data tools in actual time and artificial intelligence to improve aviation planning. Our ATC system should be able to fully benefit from these developments.
It will be easy for the government and the industry to miss this moment of transformation, given the huge nature of the mission on hand to fix the basics. Let’s not allow this to happen. Instead, as a country, let’s benefit from technology simultaneously to improve the efficiency, safety and safety of our sky quickly.
ATC update is not only about moving aircraft. It comes to restoring time and building infrastructure that serves everyone, everywhere. There are the right tools and the right leaders in place. Let’s escalate and meet the moment.
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2025-09-23 12:30:00
