Congressman Mackenzie Tours Lehigh Valley International Airport, Highlights Investments in Air Safety from Budget

Press Release: Congressman Mackenzie Tours Lehigh Valley International Airport, Highlights Investments in Air Safety from Budget
July 9, 2025
Press Release

Allentown, PA — Congressman Ryan Mackenzie, representing the Greater Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, visited Lehigh Valley International Airport today to tour facilities and highlight new investments in air traffic safety and efficiency. 

The FAA is currently facing a shortage of certified air traffic controllers, a backlog in facility modernization, and the challenge of transitioning to a next-generation air traffic control system. These issues have contributed to increased flight delays, controller fatigue, and heightened safety concerns for passengers. Last week, Congressman Mackenzie joined colleagues in passing a budget that includes over $12 billion in new investments for air traffic modernization. 

“Millions of Americans depend on air travel daily, and they deserve to feel confident every time they fly,” said Congressman Mackenzie. “Troubling incidents at airports in the past year have raised concerns for passengers and brought attention to outdated systems used by air traffic controllers. That’s why this budget makes an unprecedented $12 billion investment in improving the safety and efficiency of air travel throughout our country. It’s time to deliver the modern systems of air traffic control that the American people deserve.”

The budget makes a variety of key improvements to existing air traffic control systems and operations:

1. Facility Modernization and Realignment

  • $1.9 billion is provided to construct a new state-of-the-art Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). This new center will replace and consolidate at least three existing ARTCCs, reducing redundancies and enhancing operational efficiency.
  • An additional $100 million is provided for further consolidation of ARTCCs in order to better implement technology upgrades and reduce the FAA’s maintenance burden for aging infrastructure.
  • $1 billion is allocated for recapitalization and consolidation of Terminal Radar Approach Control facilities (TRACONs). These facilities control flights within a 30- to 50-mile radius of airports and are critical to safe departures and landings.

2. Equipment and Technology Modernization

  • $4.75 billion for telecommunications infrastructure and systems upgrades, including ATC communications networks.
  • $3 billion to replace aging radar systems.
  • $80 million for the acquisition and installation of modern weather observation systems.

3. Training for the Controller Workforce

  • $100 million is dedicated to advanced air traffic controller training technologies.
  • $350 million is also included for unstaffed infrastructure sustainment.