FAA expands AI advice to manage air traffic congestion across entire US airspace
Airlines praised the AI tool, but the air traffic controllers’ union wasn’t involved.
TL;DR
- The FAA is expanding the use of its AI tool, SMART, to manage air traffic across the entire US national airspace system.
- The SMART system aims to reduce delays, fuel consumption, and improve the travel experience by predicting air traffic patterns and making scheduling recommendations.
- Airline executives have expressed support for the AI tool's expansion.
- The union representing air traffic controllers, NATCA, stated they were not involved in the design, testing, or implementation of SMART.
- The FAA clarifies that the SMART system provides advice to controllers, who ultimately decide whether to accept the recommendations, and it cannot replace the human role.
- SMART was initially implemented in airspace over Washington, DC, and has since expanded to control centers in Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Miami.