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FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford highlighted the need for modernization of the US air traffic management (ATM) system at the Changi Aviation Summit in Singapore. Following the January 2025 mid-air crash involving a U.S.

Army helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet, which resulted in 67 fatalities, Bedford stressed the importance of executing the modernization plan. The National Transportation Safety Board's investigation cited FAA's insufficient separation protocols as a contributing factor.

Bedford outlined the initiative launched by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to replace outdated equipment with digital technology and improve system efficiency. He noted that the current system, managing 18 million IFR flights annually, still relies on equipment dating back to the 1950s, with 90% of funding allocated to maintenance. Bedford emphasized the necessity of collaboration among all stakeholders to successfully implement the plan.