FAA Launches Digital Air Traffic Towers as Part of Modernization Effort

The Federal Aviation Administration has launched its first official digital air traffic control towers at smaller airports in Florida and Alaska. The systems are now online at Bartow executive airport in Florida and Kenai municipal airport in Alaska, with five more regional airports scheduled to get the technology next.

These new systems use advanced cameras and digital screens to give air traffic controllers a steady, 360-degree look at runways, taxiways, and nearby airspace. The agency states that the technology is meant to give controllers better information and wider views to help them do their jobs, rather than replace human workers.

The digital tower rollout is part of a broader federal push to update aging aviation equipment across the United States. That modernization effort aims to replace decades-old gear still used in the aviation system, such as copper telecommunications lines, paper strips used to track aircraft, and floppy disks.

To pay for these reforms, Congress approved $12.5 billion over five years in June 2025. The administration is also asking the legislative branch for another $30 billion to fund further improvements.

This push to upgrade technology and address staffing levels comes amid heightened attention on aviation safety. Safety systems and control tower staffing have faced intense scrutiny following a 2025 midair collision between a passenger jet and a military helicopter near Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people.

Summary

The Federal Aviation Administration is rolling out digital control towers and seeking billions in additional funding to replace aging gear like floppy disks and paper strips. These technology updates unfold as the agency faces intense public and congressional scrutiny over aviation safety and staffing following a deadly 2025 midair collision.