Floppy Disks and Flight Delays: Why U.S. Air Travel Needs a Major Reboot

The U.S. air travel system is teetering on the edge of obsolescence, warns Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, as outdated technology and air traffic control (ATC) crises expose vulnerabilities in a network critical to millions. From floppy disks still in use at key hubs like Anchorage to recent chaos at Newark-Liberty International Airport, the system is screaming for a modern overhaul.

Sullivan, a member of the Senate Aviation Subcommittee, emphasized that Alaska’s unique reliance on air travel—where roads are scarce and planes are lifelines—makes reform urgent. Yet, the issue isn’t just local. Anchorage’s ATC hub manages flights from Chicago to Tokyo, meaning delays or failures ripple globally. “This isn’t just about Alaska; it’s about keeping America moving,” Sullivan told WTFNewsRoom.

A recent tour of the Anchorage ATC center revealed a shocking reliance on 20th-century tech—think floppy disks and paper strips resembling Post-it notes. Sullivan also pointed to a tragic February crash in Alaska, where 10 lives were lost after a plane went down on Norton Sound’s sea ice. “We can’t wait for tragedies to force change,” he said, urging the Department of Transportation, under incoming Secretary Sean Duffy, to prioritize preemptive action.

Sullivan didn’t mince words about the Biden administration’s missteps, accusing it of diluting FAA standards by prioritizing diversity over rigorous training for air traffic controllers. “Hiring off the street doesn’t cut it,” he said, advocating a return to high-performance standards. He’s optimistic about Duffy’s plans for a “big, comprehensive reform” to modernize the system and maintain America’s status as the world’s safest aviation network.

While praising the Trump administration’s response to the Alaska crash, Sullivan remains focused on the future. “Safety isn’t magic—it’s diligence and investment,” he said, calling for upgrades to prevent the next crisis.