Elon Musk said Thursday that Verizon’s efforts to upgrade the FAA’s air traffic control system are failing, and he believes his company, SpaceX, should take over the $2.4 billion contract to improve safety. Musk argued that the FAA’s air traffic control communications are on the brink of catastrophic failure, putting air travel safety at serious risk.
In a post on his social media platform X, Musk stated, “The Verizon communication system to air traffic control is breaking down very rapidly.” He added, “The FAA assessment is single digit months to catastrophic failure, putting air traveler safety at serious risk.” Musk described the situation as “extremely dire,” but did not specify which FAA risk assessment he was referencing.
Verizon holds the $2.4 billion contract to upgrade the FAA’s communications system through the FAA Enterprise Network Services (FENS) program. In response to Musk’s comments, the FAA issued a statement saying, “Regarding the FENS program, no decisions have been made.”
Earlier this week, the FAA confirmed it is testing three Starlink terminals, which Musk said were sent at no cost to the FAA to help restore air traffic control connectivity on an emergency basis.
Verizon, however, said that another company is currently managing the FAA’s existing systems. A Verizon spokesperson, Rich Young, explained, “Our Company is working on building the next generation system for the FAA which will support the agency’s mission for safe and secure air travel.” He added, “We are at the beginning of a multi-year contract to replace antiquated, legacy systems, and our teams have been working with the FAA’s technology teams. Our solution stands ready to be deployed.”
The FAA did not respond to additional requests for comment on Verizon’s statement.
It’s widely recognized that the FAA’s computer and communication systems are outdated and need to be updated. A December report from the Government Accountability Office noted that “urgent FAA actions are needed to modernize aging systems.”
Verizon’s $2.4 billion contract was awarded by the FAA two years ago with the goal of modernizing air traffic control systems. According to The Washington Post, the FAA is considering canceling this contract and awarding it to SpaceX. Musk seemed to confirm this report with his post on X, sharing a tweet that said, “The FAA is on the verge of canceling Verizon’s bloated $2.4 billion contract and handing it to Starlink — a move that would bring faster, safer, and more reliable air traffic control services.”
If the FAA does cancel Verizon’s contract, it could face legal challenges. Such a decision would be a significant financial boost for SpaceX and could be seen as part of Musk’s broader push for changes in government spending, including cuts to federal agencies like the FAA.
This potential move also raises questions about conflicts of interest, given Musk’s involvement in recommending cuts to agencies that oversee his businesses, including the FAA, which regulates SpaceX.
Recent air traffic safety concerns have made the public more aware of the need for improvements. This includes a series of crashes, such as a fatal military helicopter crash, an accident involving a regional jet in Washington, and other incidents in Alaska and Toronto. Although none of these incidents have been linked to Verizon’s systems, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy mentioned that he had discussed air traffic control issues with Musk, and Musk has expressed a willingness to help the FAA “remake our airspace” quickly.
