# FAA extends AI congestion guidance to all US air traffic centres

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/faa-expands-ai-advice-to-manage-air-traffic-congestion-across-entire-us-airspace/
- Published: 2026-11-12T22:28:47+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T22:47:52+00:00
- Original publisher: Ars Technica
- Original article: https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/11/faa-expands-ai-advice-to-manage-air-traffic-congestion-across-entire-us-airspace/
- Topics: AI, Americas, Technology, World

## Key points

- FAA expands its AI traffic advice system to all 22 US centres.
- The agency reports 180 rerouted flights near Washington, DC.
- Controllers retain control, but their union says it was not consulted.

## Summary

The FAA has expanded its AI-based SMART system to all 22 US air traffic control centres, aiming to reduce delays and fuel use by helping controllers manage congestion. Airlines have welcomed the rollout, while the union representing air traffic controllers says it was not involved in designing, testing or implementing the system.

The FAA says SMART has helped reroute 180 flights in the Washington, DC area since 21 September, saving an average of 10 minutes and nearly 80 gallons of fuel per flight. It analyses weather, flight paths, traffic flow and staffing to suggest schedules, routes and arrival order; FAA specialists review its recommendations, and local controllers decide whether to use them. The system cost $875 million, and the agency has not provided details on its impact on passenger flights.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.