The Washington Post
Dec. 3, 2025
The Nov. 24 editorial “Privatize air traffic control” did not mention the troubling realities about the flaws in other countries’ privatized air traffic control models.
For example, the International Civil Aviation Organization found that Canada’s safety oversight of its privatized system, NAV Canada, has been significantly degraded since 2005 and now ranks below most other Group of Seven countries in key safety categories. Other privatized systems similarly experience significant flight delays, air traffic controller shortages and technology deployment failures.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has proposed a better alternative with bipartisan support in Congress to modernize air traffic control. It would add thousands of new controllers and invest in facilities and equipment, including new fiber, cellular and satellite communication systems.
This plan, combined with bipartisan legislation gaining momentum in Congress that would shield the Federal Aviation Administration from future funding lapses, is the best path forward. A bill that allows the agency to draw from funds already paid into the system by aviation users would provide the funding stability the agency needs to preserve safety, maintain operational integrity and ensure that critical aviation functions continue without disruption.
In short, modernization combined with funding continuity will usher in a new era of air transportation, ensuring that America’s aviation system remains the gold standard in decades to come.
Ed Bolen, Nick Daniels and David Spero, Washington
Ed Bolen is president and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association. Nick Daniels is president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. David Spero is president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.