Elon Musk warned Thursday that the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) air traffic control communication system is nearing catastrophic failure, urging the agency to adopt Starlink technology to prevent a crisis. The FAA has confirmed it is currently testing three Starlink terminals as potential replacements.
Musk described the situation as “extremely dire,” claiming the existing system is only “single-digit months” away from failure, putting air travelers at risk. He stated that SpaceX’s Starlink has provided terminals to the FAA at no cost to taxpayers on an emergency basis to restore connectivity.
The current FAA communications infrastructure, originally developed by L3Harris, has been in service for decades. Verizon was awarded a $2.4 billion contract to upgrade the system under the FAA Enterprise Network Services (FENS) program, but no final decision has been made regarding its deployment.
A December report from the Government Accountability Office highlighted the urgent need for FAA system upgrades, reinforcing concerns about outdated technology. Verizon has maintained that it does not operate the existing system but is building the next-generation network. The company stated it is in the early stages of a multi-year contract and remains committed to modernizing FAA communications.
Reports suggest the FAA is considering terminating Verizon’s contract in favor of Starlink, which offers satellite-based connectivity that could enhance the reliability of air traffic control communications. Tests are currently underway at FAA facilities in Atlantic City and Alaska.
Musk’s intervention could accelerate the agency’s decision, as pressure mounts to modernize air travel infrastructure and prevent system failures that could endanger passengers.
