NATCA Bookshelf

ISSUES National Air Traffic Controllers Association | www.natca.org NiW Today 37 Overview The air traffic control section of the Budget Reconcil- iation Act of 2025 provided $1.9 billion to construct a new air route traffic control center (ARTCC) and to di- vest and integrate at least three existing ARTCCs into a newly constructed ARTCC. It also provided $100 million to conduct an ARTCC realignment and consol- idation effort under which at least 10 existing ARTCC facilities would be closed or consolidated to facilitate recapitalization of ARTCC facilities. Finally, the act allocated another $1 billion to support recapitalization and consolidation of terminal radar approach control facilities (TRACONs). As a result, this influx of dedicated funding prompted FAA to begin planning for increased facility realignments and consolidations that were not feasible at previous appropriations levels. However, NATCA believes that facility realignment and consolidation efforts must be holistic and strategic – aiming to increase aviation safety, efficiency, and reliability – and not arbitrary. Background The FAA operates more than 300 air traffic control fa- cilities of varying ages and conditions. In addition to its efforts to repair and maintain its rapidly aging physical infrastructure, the FAA also plans to address facility concerns through realignments and consolidations. Although NATCA recognizes that the FAA's future facility footprint will be different than the current footprint, arbitrary facility realignment and consolidation for the sake of consolidation is not in the best interest of the NAS. Air traffic control (ATC) facility realignment and consolidation decisions must consider five core principles: safety, continuity, capacity and efficiency, cost savings, and effects on the workforce. Currently, the FAA is focused on consolidating all 21 ARTCCs – spread across the country spanning 18 different states – into six large radar facilities. Those existing 21 ARTCCs are in the following locations: n Alaska: Anchorage (ZAN) n California: Palmdale (ZLA) and Freemont (ZOA) n Colorado: Longmont (ZDV) n Florida: Hilliard (ZJX), Miami (ZMA) n Georgia: Hampton (ZTL) n Illinois: Aurora (ZAU) n Indiana: Indianapolis (ZID) n Kansas: Olathe (ZKC) n New Hampshire: Nashua (ZBW) n Minnesota: Farmington (ZMP) n New Mexico: Albuquerque (ZAB) n New York: Ronkonkoma (ZNY) n Ohio: Oberlin (ZOB) n Tennessee: Memphis (ZME) n Texas: Ft. Worth (ZFW), Houston (ZHU) n Utah: Salt Lake City (ZLC) n Virginia: Leesburg (ZDC) n Washington: Auburn (ZSE) Message Facility Realignment and Consolidation Decisions Must Consider Five Core Principles NATCA believes the consolidation for the sake of consolidation would not be in the best interest of the National Airspace System (NAS), the aviation industry, or the flying public. Instead, ATC facility realignment and consolidation decisions must consider five core principles: safety, continuity, capacity and efficiency, cost savings, and effects on the workforce. Safety – When realigning or consolidating one or more facilities, it is essential to prioritize the safety of the NAS for both the American flying public and those who operate within it. This process should involve careful consideration and identification of specific facilities to ensure that these actions do not increase risk in the system and, whenever possible, enhance safety. Continuity – Realignment or consolidation of one or more facilities should consider the resiliency and continuity of the NAS. Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) facilities are responsible for tens of thousands of miles of airspace. If multiple ARTCCs are combined into one, it would be responsible for hundreds of thousands of miles of airspace. If a combined facility suffered an equipment failure, natural disaster, or illegal activity interrupting service, it would likely disrupt the entire NAS for an extended period. Redundancy reduces risk and ensures the resiliency and continuity of the NAS. Careful consideration must be given to exposing the NAS to increased risk as an unintended consequence of realignment or consolidation. Issue ATC Facility Realignment and Consolidation

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