Building a Safer and More Effective Air Traffic Control System


 

Publication Date: February 1991

Publisher: Reason Foundation

Author(s): Robert W. Jr. Poole

Research Area: Transportation

Type: Report

Abstract:

The U.S. air traffic control (ATC) is failing to keep pace with the needs of commercial aviation. Air traffic has increased by 68% since deregulation, yet the workforce is one-third smaller and equipment is unreliable and outdated. Spinning off ATC to a user-funded corporation would solve these structural problems. Direct user fees would make funds available quickly and efficiently to upgrade the system to state-of-the-art technology. The result would be a safer, more efficient ATC system able to keep pace with a growing, competitive aviation industry.