Artwork by Leah Abucayan for CNN/Getty
As stated by CNN
The longest government shutdown in U.S. history recently affected travel plans across the country: a shortage of air traffic controllers led to thousands of delays and flight cancellations.
Even after the shutdown ended, the industry’s staffing shortage remains. Artificial intelligence, capable of processing large volumes of data and potentially adjusting processes, could become a useful tool. Some experts believe that AI could change everyday life as profoundly as electricity or fire did.
Although artificial intelligence has practical applications in aviation – weather analysis, trajectory forecasting, or warnings about potential conflicts – experts emphasize that a full replacement of air traffic controllers is not expected in the near term, and probably never.
Why AI Won’t Replace Air Traffic Controllers
“This is a human system, and it is unequivocally human-centered, because it requires near-flawless execution”
Air traffic controllers play a critically important role in aviation: they coordinate the movement of aircraft on the ground and in the air, maintain safe distances between vessels and keep in contact with crews – skills that require multitasking, quick decision-making, and high concentration. According to the FAA, more than 44,000 flights are handled daily, and at peak times there can be about 5,500 aircraft in the air.
Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), in written testimony before the Aviation Subcommittee of the House of Representatives in March described the work of controllers as “a unique craft and precision” and emphasized that they are the “cornerstone” of the National Airspace System. He added that this work requires rigorous training, mastery of complex systems, and the ability to operate under pressure.
“the cornerstone of the National Airspace System,” adding that controllers “required rigorous training, mastery of complex systems, and the ability to operate under immense pressure.”
It is this pressure and responsibility that explain why a full handover to AI is not possible right now. According to Sagun, it is important to be able to recognize emotional cues and stress in a pilot’s or colleague’s voice – whether AI can recognize such signs remains an open question.
“This is where you intervene, you call for help, and we dispatch people to take control of the situation”
Advancements in AI and its certification remain challenges. According to Sagun, implementing new systems requires extensive testing and phased deployment to ensure flight safety.
Some studies dating back to the early 2000s showed that a scenario in which a human intervenes during an accident or automation error could be inefficient. Amar Gupta, a researcher at MIT in the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, emphasizes: even with automation for landing or takeoff, a human is needed for unpredictable situations.
“There is virtually no room for error in air traffic control due to safety risks”
According to Michael McCormick, people generally struggle to maintain sustained vigilance – they tire quickly, which can reduce system effectiveness and increase risks.
“This is what people are very bad at – they lose vigilance very quickly, usually due to boredom”
Experts agree: AI should be a tool to support air traffic controllers, not to replace them. The staffing shortage since 2012 and the shrinking number of certified controllers, according to NATCA data, push attention toward technologies that can help but not replace humans.
AI could enhance understanding of weather patterns and thunderstorm forecasting, warning controllers of potential risks. The FAA plans to modernize the air traffic management system using AI to analyze trajectories, assess possible conflicts, and provide recommendations. However, full readiness for testing and deployment will take time.
Across the globe there are examples: Searidge Technologies, a subsidiary of the British company NATS, developed an AI system for monitoring ground movements and facilitating interaction with pilots. It is used at London Heathrow and Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood in Florida to track gate usage.
“The system is not a substitute for human control. We are seeing strong global interest in our system and expect more operational deployments and demonstration sites next year”
But meaningful shifts in the United States are not expected very quickly: deploying new technologies requires thorough testing and infrastructure development. The Department of Transportation plans to upgrade the FAA system by 2028 with “new equipment” and “new software,” Secretary Sean Duffy said in May. The rollout may take longer than expected, and as Michael McCormick noted, the entire process takes years – we are at the early stages and will continue moving toward integrating AI into modern ATC systems.
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- US officials warn of a travel catastrophe before Thanksgiving due to the government shutdown affecting air traffic controllers and airline operations.
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