The next phase of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) air traffic control overhaul will target decades-old floppy disks, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
The agency plans to replace the "outdated floppy disks that contain vital weather and other critical information with a streamlined, 21st-century system."
Replacing the disks will be the Enterprise – Information Display System (E-IDS), which is coming to more than 400 FAA facilities across the country.
According to the FAA, E-IDS improves upon the outdated tech by providing a digital display board that puts critical operational information in one place, allowing controllers to view updates, status information and alerts relating to equipment issues and disruptions, air traffic conditions, weather impacts and important advisories. E-IDS also reduces repair costs and workarounds to save money and enhance safety.
The first five facilities to receive these upgrades include Atlantic City International Airport, Nashville International Airport, Greater Rochester International Airport and data processing hubs in Atlanta and Salt Lake City. However, the FAA plans to install E-IDS in as many as 435 sites by the end of 2028.
"Good news, America: floppy disks are out, 21st-century tech is in," Duffy said in a statement. "The greatest nation in the world deserves a state-of-the-art air traffic control system, and under President Trump, we’re delivering just that. The installation of E-IDS is just the latest signal that America’s brand new air traffic control system is coming at lightning speed."
"E-IDS gives air traffic controllers the information they need to make timely decisions and keep the flying public safe," added FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. "We’re moving away from outdated, manual processes and replacing technology that once relied on floppy disks with a modern system that allows controllers to instantly share critical flight alerts, restricted airspace schedules and pilot reports across the National Airspace System."
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