Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy vows to modernize America’s air-traffic control system — and not a moment too soon.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has taken a decisive step towards modernizing the United States' aging air-traffic control (ATC) infrastructure. This commitment comes against a backdrop of alarming incidents, including a recent 90-second radar blackout at Newark Liberty International Airport caused by a burnt-out copper wire, which left controllers blind to arriving and departing flights. As a hub for United Airlines, which operates a staggering 75% of Newark’s flights, this failure highlights not only localized challenges but also broader systemic issues affecting air travel across the country. Thousands of flights have faced cancellations and delays, exacerbated further by a critical shortage of air traffic controllers and ongoing rehabilitation projects that have limited runway availability. The importance of Newark as a vital component of the New York metropolitan area cannot be understated. The region, which competes on a global scale with cities like Paris and London, desperately needs a second, if not third, operational international airport. However, the current mismanagement attributed to the Port Authority has drawn sharp criticism, labeling it as a "corrupt pork farm" that prioritizes vested interests over public welfare. Moreover, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has acknowledged a troubling shortage of controllers, with an immediate need to hire an additional 3,000 personnel. This staffing deficit is compounded by aging infrastructure; a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) indicates that three out of four FAA systems could have "critical operational impacts." Despite Congress mandating modernization as far back as 2003, significant upgrades are still a decade away, reflecting the stagnation caused by bureaucratic inefficiencies and political interference. Duffy’s upcoming announcement, which includes plans for a comprehensive overhaul of air traffic control systems, aims to address these infrastructural woes, including potential financial incentives like $5,000 bonuses to attract new controllers. As industry observers suggest, the U.S. could benefit significantly from privatizing air-traffic control, mirroring the successful models implemented in several other countries. This change could alleviate political constraints that hinder necessary technological advancements and create a more stable work environment, potentially reducing turnover rates. In light of these ongoing struggles, it seems critical that the Duffy administration acts with urgency to transform the ATC system—before a disaster further underscores the risks we face. This is an opportunity for a reevaluation of the strategies that have led to decades of bipartisan stagnation in improving America's air travel infrastructure.