Operations & Safety

air traffic control

The air traffic control (ATC) system is managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to provide safe separation of aircraft over the United States and in and out of U.S. airports.  ATA remains a strong vocal proponent of modernizing the ATC system (see  ATA 2006 Economic Report, section on ATC Modernization.)  This section highlights various ATC-related activities of interest to the airline industry.

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Misrepresenting Air Traffic Delays

Reason Foundation's Air Traffic Control Reform Newsletter Article on Misrepresenting Air Traffic Delays (01.01.2008)

Transforming our National Airspace

The three critical components of the National Airspace System - communications, navigation, and surveillance -- must be modernized if we are to maintain the world's largest, safest, and most efficient air transportation system.

ATC System Modernization

While the basic design of the U.S. air traffic control system dates back to the 1950s, this design promises to present ever-growing concerns as demand for system capacity continues to rise.

Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B)

ATA member airlines support a transition to an ADS-B surveillance system. Find out more about how it works and why FAA considers it the cornerstone of their Next Generation Air Transportation System (NGATS).

ATA and "SAFE" Agree that Modernized ATC Will Significantly Reduce Fuel Consumption and U.S. Oil Dependence

Shaping the Future ATC System

ATA Vice President, Operations and Safety Basil Barimo contributed an article entitled "Shaping the Future ATC System" in a recent issue of the Flight Safety Foundation magazine AeroSafety World.

ERAM (En Route Automation Modernization)

ERAM is intended to replace existing National Airspace System (NAS) software and hardware with an open standards-based architecture allowing scalability for current and future needs. ERAM will produce benefits in NAS safety, security, capacity, and efficiency, and is one of the key stepping stones to the next generation air traffic system.

FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center

The mission of the FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center is to balance air traffic demand with system capacity in the National Airspace System (NAS).

FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center -- ATA Desk

The ATA Desk at the FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center in Herndon, Virginia, represents ATA members' daily operational concerns by recommending strategic and tactical solutions to mitigate system constraints in the National Airspace System (NAS).

Continuous Descent Approach (CDA)

CDA is a stair-stepped approach to an airport requiring planes to descend in steps, significantly reducing fuel burn and emissions, noise, and flight time.

Tailored Arrivals (TAs)

TAs are generated by ATM computers and consider local traffic, weather, terrain, noise restrictions, and the aircraft's own capabilities to obtain an optimal route and an exact touchdown time for arriving aircraft.

System-Wide Information Management (SWIM)

SWIM is a future information-management architecture that will manage surveillance, flight and weather data, and other National Airspace System data to all users.

FAA Speech "Congested Skies" - September 28, 2006

Speech by Russell G. Chew, FAA, at ICAO Conference in Montreal, Canada, September 28, 2006.

Smart Skies Airspace Reform Concepts

The air traffic system is severely constrained. ATA offers these guiding principles on how the system can keep pace with user demand.

Flight Tracker

Commercial flight tracking web site.

Overview of System Capability and Demand

Information on the National Airspace System (NAS) capacity and demand.

Anatomy of Air Travel Delays

Causes and effects of National Airspace System (NAS) delays.

Cost of Air Traffic System Delays

Annual air traffic system delay costs to U.S. airlines.

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Are They Really 'Marginal' Users?

With Superbowl XLI over, hundreds of corporate jets fled the south Florida area this morning, placing additional strain on the nation’s ATC system.

Forbes Magazine ADS-B Article

Forbes Magazine's "Smarter Skies" Feb. 26 article highlights the benefits of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and that the technology could eventually replace the radar system and relieve air traffic congestion.

Other Helpful Traveler Tools

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Questions and Answers on RNAV

ATA Vice President of Operations and Safety Basil Barimo answers questions on RNAV.

ATA News Release: ATA Says ADS-B Proposed Rule Increases Cost Without Achieving Stakeholder Benefits

ATA submitted its formal response to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out Performance Requirements to Support Air Traffic Control (ATC) Service.

ATA Comments on FAA Issuance of ADS-B NPRM

ATA issued a statement commenting on the FAA Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).

2007 Thanksgiving Period Wrap-Up

Air travel during the 2007 Thanksgiving holiday period went relatively smoothly -- no small feat given the estimated record 27 million passengers traveling between Friday, Nov. 16 through Tuesday, Nov. 27.

Updated Air Traffic Control System Sorely Needed

ATA Vice President of Operations and Safety Basil Barimo speaks on ABC News with Charles Gibson stating that the current radar-based ATC system is outdated and stretched to its limits and the proposed $40 billion GPS-based system would be a huge improvement.

ATA Statement: ATA Comments on FAA’s ADS-B Contract Announcement

ATA issued a statement in response to the FAA announcement on the awarding of a contract for Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) services, the backbone of the NextGen ATC system.

USA Today Editorial Supports FAA Budget Proposal

USA Today supports the FAA budget proposal for a cost-based ATC funding system.

ATA Testimony - Airline Delays and Consumer Issues

President and CEO Jim May testifies on airline delays and consumer issues before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Aviation Subcommittee. (09/26/2007)