FAA launches AI-backed flight delay tool in D.C. region

The FAA launched Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes and Trajectories, or SMART, in the D.C. region on Monday, making it the first place in the country to use the new AI-supported air traffic management technology. The system is now operating at Reagan National, BWI Marshall and Dulles, where officials say it can analyze weather, flight paths, and arrival and departure data to help reduce delays and cancellations.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said SMART could have improved decisions during storms that moved through the D.C. area on August 10, when 11 flights were diverted unnecessarily because of poor data. Bedford also said Reagan National, whose main runway is the busiest in the country, has inefficiencies that could be reduced by better aligning capacity with demand.

The rollout drew concerns from Rep. Don Beyer, who said the FAA should not use his constituents as test subjects for an unproven AI air traffic control system and cited the safety of the 24 million people traveling through DCA each year. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association said it was not involved in the design, testing or implementation of SMART and stressed that technology should complement controllers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said humans will continue to manage U.S. airspace, while the FAA said local control facilities can accept or reject AI suggestions.