Transportation Secretary Duffy Touts ATC Modernization and First AAM Special Certificate at NBAA-BACE
Why It MattersFederal backing for ATC modernization and a first AAM certificate signal that government attention is extending from legacy infrastructure to new aircraft categories business aviation operators will eventually share airspace with.
Speaking to a business aviation audience at NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted the Trump administration's air traffic control (ATC) modernization drive and the FAA's first award of a special operating certificate to an advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicle.

Duffy said the FAA is "on budget [and] things are going incredibly well" with the Brand New Air Traffic Control System (Bnatcs), the name given to the ATC modernization, after Congress appropriated $12.5 billion to begin the effort in the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The administration is now seeking additional funding for the program.

















































