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Why are ATC paid by the federal government anyway? As far as I understand airports are separate private heavily regulated entities. Seems like thus should be tr
by sershe 11mo ago
Why are ATC paid by the federal government anyway? As far as I understand airports are separate private heavily regulated entities. Seems like thus should be trivial to solve by having airports/municipalities pay for their ATC. Might also improve the pay if they have to compete and take blame for this kind of stuff, instead of passing the buck.
- 0xbadcafebee 11mo agoSimple: even in the 1930s, it was obvious that a private corporation would prioritize profit over safety. At the time it was mostly rich people who could afford to fly. So, miraculously, the government decided it needed to ensure the safety of air travel. Trump famously wanted to privatize the ATC in his first term. But now all the industry veterans are saying they'd much rather have the modernizations proposed for the government system (https://www.npr.org/2025/06/27/nx-s1-5442651/privatizing-air-traffic-control-faa https://www.npr.org/2025/06/27/nx-s1-5442651/privatizing-air...) than switch to a private model. What's funny is, we're gonna fuck it up either way.
- dingaling 11mo agoFor comparison: Terminal ATC in the UK is a competitive market. Each airport is free to tender for private companies to operate the service. En route ATC remains a government-granted monopoly awarded to NATS, which is the privatised former national provider.
- johneth 11mo agoNATS is also half-owned by the UK government + they have a golden share.
- sershe 11mo agoPrivate corporation seem to be doing fine with pilots though, both for rich people, and for commercial aviation. Doesn't seem that different