NATCA Sponsors Air Traffic Control Modernization Summit

NATCA with our Union’s partner organizations in the Modern Skies Coalition sponsored the Air Traffic Control Modernization Summit in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. The event brought together business leaders from across the aviation landscape, senior government leaders, and media representatives for discussions about the future of Air Traffic Control and the modernization of the National Air Space (NAS).

Throughout the day, panels focused on the future of air traffic control, how the system should be modernized, and on what timeline. Attendees were able to hear from several Congressional leaders, including Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas), Sen. Tammy Duckworth (Illinois), and U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (Wash.-02).

NATCA was represented on several panels, including one titled, “Delivering the Future ATC System: On Time, On Budget, and with Accountability.” Controller Dan Hamilton (San Francisco ATCT, SFO) gave his perspective on how a modern air traffic control system must also be matched with increased and proper training on the new technology. He added that upgrades in technology will help controllers do their job more efficiently, “If it benefits the controller, it benefits everyone who uses the NAS, which is every single one of us.”

To see more photos from the event, please visit NATCA’s Flickr page. (NOTE: Will add when decided we want to add photos to Flickr page)