The Federal Aviation Administration has expanded SMART, an $875 million AI tool that advises air traffic controllers, to all 22 air traffic control centers across the US. The system rolled out initially in Washington, DC airspace on September 21 and has rerouted 180 flights, saving an average of 10 minutes per flight and nearly 80 gallons of fuel per flight, according to the FAA.
SMART uses cloud-based technology to analyze weather patterns, flight paths, traffic flow, and controller staffing to predict air traffic and recommend optimal routes and arrival sequences. A human team of FAA specialists in DC validates all recommendations before they reach individual air traffic control facilities. Local controllers retain the authority to accept or reject the system's suggestions.
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian and American Airlines CEO Robert Isom publicly supported the rollout. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, representing over 15,000 members, stated it was not involved in the design, testing, or implementation of SMART and therefore cannot assess its effect on the workforce.
The FAA has clarified that SMART cannot replace air traffic controllers or take control of aircraft. After the initial DC deployment, the system expanded to air route traffic control centers in Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Miami.