Newark Airport chaos, Bering Air crash highlight need for airline tech reform now

Senator Dan Sullivan, a leading lawmaker from Alaska, has raised concerns about the outdated technology and ongoing air traffic control crises that are plaguing the U.S. air travel system. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Sullivan highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of the system, pointing to recent issues at key hubs like Newark-Liberty International Airport.

As a state with the least miles of roads per capita, Alaska heavily relies on air travel to connect hundreds of communities where other modes of transportation are not realistic or reliable. Sullivan emphasized that addressing these challenges is not only crucial for his state but also for the entire country, as the Anchorage air traffic control hub plays a critical role in managing flight patterns between Chicago and Tokyo.

Sullivan stressed the importance of preemptively addressing issues before they escalate into tragedies, citing a recent passenger airliner crash in Alaska that claimed the lives of 10 individuals. He expressed his frustration with the reliance on outdated technology, such as floppy disks and paper strips, in air traffic control centers across the country.

The senator criticized the Biden administration for prioritizing diversity over substantive reforms in the Department of Transportation, particularly in the recruitment of air traffic controllers. He called for a return to rigorous standards in hiring practices to ensure the safety and efficiency of the aviation system.

Sullivan revealed that he had discussions with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy about implementing a comprehensive reform program in the coming weeks and months. He commended the Trump administration for its response to the Unalakleet crash and expressed confidence in the department’s ability to handle the recent incident at Newark-Liberty Airport effectively.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg defended his tenure, highlighting the administration’s focus on safety and the absence of commercial airline fatalities during their time in office. Sullivan’s warnings about the need for modernization and reform in the air travel system underscore the critical importance of ensuring the safety and efficiency of air transportation in the United States.