Delta Air Lines Pushes AI Overhaul of Air Traffic Control to End Half-Century of Inefficiency

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian believes AI's most promising use in aviation is not adjusting fares but modernizing an air traffic control system that has operated inefficiently for about half a century. Such an overhaul could improve on-time performance, airspace capacity and aviation safety while easing staffing shortages at the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The FAA has recently begun using large language models and machine learning to analyze accident reports and identify potential risks. Delta has publicly called for faster technology upgrades to improve flight scheduling and operational efficiency. Existing reports, however, do not specify an exact launch date, investment amount or timetable for full deployment.