The Federal Aviation Administration has expanded the use of an AI-driven advisory tool called SMART to help air traffic controllers manage congestion across the entire US national airspace system, following an initial rollout in the Washington, DC region. Airline executives have voiced support for the rollout, but the labor union representing controllers says it was not involved in designing or testing the system.
The FAA announced on November 10 that the $875 million SMART system, initially deployed over Washington, DC, on September 21, will now be used in the airspace of all 22 centers nationwide. According to the agency, the tool has helped reroute 180 flights since September, saving an average of 10 minutes and nearly 80 gallons of fuel per flight. 'After a successful initial rollout to the National Capital Region in September, the FAA will now use SMART in the airspace of all 22 centers across the country to reduce delays, reduce fuel consumption and improve the travel experience for the flying public,' the agency said in a statement.
The AI system advises controllers on rerouting aircraft to ease congestion. Airline executives have expressed support for the expansion, though the union representing air traffic controllers has said it was not consulted during the system's design and testing.
Analysis
Why this matters
- The nationwide rollout could reduce flight delays and fuel consumption for millions of passengers.
- The deployment is a major step in applying AI to critical air traffic control infrastructure.
- Labor concerns about lack of controller input may affect implementation or trust in the system.
Background
SMART (Surface, Movement, and Re-routing Tool) is an AI-based advisory system developed for the FAA. It was first tested in the Washington DC capital region, where the agency says it rerouted 180 flights over about six weeks. The system cost $875 million to develop and deploy.
Key perspectives
- FAA: Says SMART will reduce delays, fuel consumption, and improve the travel experience, citing results from the DC trial.
- Air traffic controllers union: Said it was not involved in designing or testing the system, raising questions about controller input.
- Airline executives: Voiced support for the expansion, likely expecting operational benefits.
What to watch
- Whether the FAA provides further data on nationwide performance and any unintended effects on safety.
- The union's response as deployment proceeds and any calls for greater inclusion in future AI tools.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe FAA expanded SMART across the entire US national airspace system.Ars Technica - All content: “The US government has expanded the use of an AI tool for advising air traffic controllers to assist in managing air traffic across the entire national airspace system.”
- SupportedThe FAA says SMART saved an average of 10 minutes and almost 80 gallons of fuel per flight in its Washington, DC rollout.Ars Technica - All content: “The agency claims that this saved an average of 10 minutes per flight and almost 80 gallons of fuel per flight”
- SupportedAirline executives have voiced support for the rollout.Ars Technica - All content: “Airline executives have voiced support for the rollout”
- SupportedThe union representing air traffic controllers says it was not involved in designing or testing the system.Ars Technica - All content: “the US labor union representing air traffic controllers has said it was not involved in designing or testing the AI-driven system.”
- SupportedThe FAA announced the expansion on November 10.Ars Technica - All content: “according to the agency statement posted on November 10.”
- SupportedSMART is a $875 million system.Ars Technica - All content: “The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says the $875 million SMART system”
- SupportedSMART was initially deployed over Washington, DC, on September 21.Ars Technica - All content: “The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says the $875 million SMART system has helped reroute 180 flights since being implemented in airspace over Washington, DC, on September 21.”
- SupportedSMART has helped reroute 180 flights since September.Ars Technica - All content: “has helped reroute 180 flights since being implemented in airspace over Washington, DC, on September 21.”
- SupportedThe FAA said: “After a successful initial rollout to the National Capital Region in September, the FAA will now use SMART in the airspace of all 22 centers across the country to reduce delays, reduce fuel consumption and improve the travel experience for the flying public,”Ars Technica - All content: ““After a successful initial rollout to the National Capital Region in September, the FAA will now use SMART in the airspace of all 22 centers across the country to reduce delays, reduce fuel consumption and improve the travel experience for the flying public,” according to the agency statement posted on November 10.”
- SupportedSMART advises controllers on rerouting aircraft to ease congestion.Ars Technica - All content: “an AI tool for advising air traffic controllers to assist in managing air traffic across the entire national airspace system.”
- Partly supportedThe union said it was not consulted during the system’s design and testing.Ars Technica - All content: “has said it was not involved in designing or testing the AI-driven system.”
