FAA expands SMART AI tool to all US air traffic control centers

In short: The FAA is expanding an AI-based advice tool called SMART to help manage air traffic across the entire US airspace system.

What happened

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it will now use SMART in the airspace of all 22 air traffic control centers across the country. The agency says the goal is to reduce delays and fuel use.

SMART is a cloud-based system, meaning it runs on remote computers over the internet (like using Google Docs instead of software installed on your laptop). It combines information such as weather, planned flight paths, how busy the skies are, and staffing levels. It then predicts traffic and suggests changes, like a better route or the best order for planes to arrive.

The FAA says SMART has already been used in the airspace over Washington, DC since September 21. The agency says the system helped reroute 180 flights and saved an average of 10 minutes and almost 80 gallons of fuel per flight.

The FAA also says a team of FAA specialists in Washington, DC reviews SMART’s recommendations before sending them to facilities around the country. The FAA has said SMART cannot replace air traffic controllers or take control of an aircraft. Local controllers can choose whether to use the suggestions.

Airline leaders have praised the rollout. However, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, a union representing more than 15,000 members, said it was not consulted on SMART’s design, testing, or implementation.

Why it matters

For travelers, tools like SMART could mean fewer delays and smoother flights, especially on busy days. At the same time, the union’s concerns highlight a key issue with AI in public services, who helps design and test it, and how its impact on workers is evaluated.

Source: Arstechnica