President Trump on Thursday said his administration will build a “great computerized” air traffic control system, calling the current one obsolete and blaming it for the deadly midair collision of an American Eagle jet and an Army helicopter near Washington Reagan National Airport on Jan. 29. 

The collision killed 67 people. The incident occurred when the plane was about to land. 

“It would have never happened if we had the right equipment,” Trump said at the National Prayer Breakfast at the U.S. Capitol, adding that the new system would make such accidents “virtually not possible.”

“We know we have obsolete equipment,” Trump said. “It should have never happened, but regardless of that, it is amazing that it happened. And I think that’s going to be used for good. I think what is going to happen is we’re all going to sit down and do a great computerized system for our control towers. Brand new, not pieced together.”

Geoff Freeman, CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, praised President Trump’s comments.

“We are encouraged by the focus and leadership of President Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on addressing longstanding challenges in America’s air traffic control system,” Freeman said. “The travel industry has repeatedly called for greater investments in technology and manpower to build a world-class aviation experience. We are eager to work with the president to build the system Americans deserve, one that can ensure their safety and keep up with a surging demand in air travel.”

Trump said that other countries have “unbelievable air control systems” and that his own private plane uses a system from another country. He would not say which one. 

“So we’re going have the best system,” he said, adding that “it’s not that much money. And it’ll happen fast, and it’ll be done by total professionals. And when it’s done, you’re not going to have accidents.”

What about NextGen?

Since 2007, the FAA has been implementing an air traffic modernization program called NextGen that has cost close to $20 billion, according to a 2024 report by the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Transportation.

Though widely critiqued for its slow implementation, the major components of the project are slated to be completed this year, with deployment to continue through 2030.  

However, the OIG report found that NextGen “will be less transformational than originally promised.”

Trump did not mention NextGen in his Thursday remarks.

U.S. Travel spokesman Greg Staley said trade group isn’t sure if the president was referring to making changes within the NextGen framework or to developing an entirely new initiative.

“We do not precisely know at this point, however with either, we need leadership to drive progress and focus to make the necessary upgrades and staffing hires quickly. This is a step forward,” he said.