U.S. FAA Plans SMART System to Reduce Flight Delays

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is preparing to roll out a new software system designed to help reduce flight delays, cancellations and congestion across the country's airspace.

The system, known as SMART — Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes, and Trajectories, uses predictive analytics and multiple sources of aviation data to help the FAA and airlines make better decisions about flight schedules and routes.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford met with executives from major U.S. airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines, to discuss the rollout and how the technology could improve flight management.

How the FAA SMART System Will Work

SMART is designed to create a shared, real-time picture of important aviation conditions.

According to the FAA, the system will combine information about airline schedules, weather, airport capacity and airspace conditions. It will then provide predictive insights that can help identify potential constraints and conflicts earlier.

The goal is to give aviation officials more time to adjust schedules, routes and other flight-management decisions before a problem spreads across the system.

The FAA says SMART will work alongside existing air-traffic-management systems rather than replace them. Air traffic controllers will remain responsible for safely separating aircraft.

Weather Delays Are an Important Early Focus

The initial use of SMART is expected to focus on improving the management of flights affected by bad weather.

Reuters reported that the FAA plans to use predictive analytics to help reschedule flights that have been canceled because of weather disruptions. The system could later be expanded to coordinate flight schedules and aircraft trajectories before planes depart.

That could be particularly useful during major storms, when cancellations at one airport can quickly create aircraft and crew problems at other airports.

Instead of reacting only after congestion has already developed, SMART is intended to help identify potential problems earlier.

FAA Awards $875 Million Contract

The FAA selected Air Space Intelligence to provide the technology as part of a broader modernization effort.

In June, the FAA announced an $875 million, 12-year contract with Air Space Intelligence for two related technologies. SMART is an enhancement within the Flow Management Data and Services system being developed for the FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center.

The FAA says SMART will help strategically coordinate schedules and flight trajectories before aircraft depart, with the goal of preventing congestion and improving the efficiency of the national airspace system.

U.S. Air Traffic Control Faces Multiple Challenges

The technology rollout comes as the FAA works to address several long-running challenges affecting the U.S. aviation system.

Rising travel demand, severe weather, airport and runway construction, and shortages of air-traffic controllers can all contribute to delays and congestion.

Reuters reported that the FAA has already imposed flight reductions at some major airports because of congestion concerns. Chicago O'Hare has faced restrictions, while flight reductions have also affected airports in the New York area.

The FAA's modernization program is therefore much broader than SMART alone.

The agency is working on a $12.5 billion air-traffic-control overhaul and has requested another $10 billion for additional improvements, according to Reuters.

What SMART Could Mean for American Travelers

If the system works as intended, travelers could eventually benefit from fewer disruptions and faster recovery when severe weather or congestion affects the aviation network.

Better planning could also help airlines make earlier adjustments to flight schedules and routes.

The FAA's SMART fact sheet says the system is intended to improve on-time performance, reduce fuel burn, speed recovery from weather and congestion events, and make aviation operations more predictable.

However, SMART will not eliminate every flight delay.

Weather conditions, airport construction, staffing shortages, aircraft problems and other operational issues can continue to affect flights even when better planning tools are available.

When Will SMART Start Operating?

The FAA says initial SMART operations are scheduled to begin in Fall 2026. Reuters reported that the agency planned to begin rolling out the system in September.

The initial rollout will give the FAA and airlines an opportunity to evaluate how the system performs in real-world operations.

Its capabilities could then expand as officials gain experience with the technology.

Why This Matters

Flight delays are not only an inconvenience for passengers. Disruptions can affect airline operations, airport capacity, aircraft availability, crew schedules and the wider transportation network.

A system that can identify potential congestion earlier could allow airlines and aviation officials to make changes before disruptions become larger.

For travelers, the biggest potential benefit is simple: better planning could mean more predictable flights.

The FAA's broader modernization effort will be important to watch as SMART moves from development into operational use.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FAA SMART system?

SMART stands for Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes, and Trajectories. It is a predictive software system designed to improve flight planning and reduce congestion and delays.

How does SMART work?

SMART combines data on airline schedules, weather, airport capacity and airspace conditions to provide predictive insights and identify potential problems earlier.

When will the FAA SMART system begin operating?

The FAA says initial SMART operations are scheduled to begin in Fall 2026. Reuters reported that the rollout was planned to begin in September.

Will SMART eliminate flight delays?

No. SMART is designed to reduce avoidable congestion and improve planning, but weather, staffing shortages, construction and other operational problems can still cause delays.

How much is the FAA spending on the SMART technology contract?

The FAA awarded Air Space Intelligence an $875 million, 12-year contract covering the related technology program that includes SMART.

Why is the FAA modernizing air traffic control?

The FAA is undertaking a broader modernization effort to improve the U.S. air-traffic-control system as the aviation network faces rising demand, congestion, weather disruptions and staffing challenges.

Sources

Reuters: FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford meets major U.S. airline CEOs over SMART flight-management system. Read the Reuters report

Federal Aviation Administration: Official announcement on the Air Space Intelligence technology contract and SMART system. Read the FAA announcement

Federal Aviation Administration: SMART official fact sheet. View the FAA SMART fact sheet

For more U.S. business, technology and transportation coverage, visit USNewsXpo