Transitioning to NextGen

Historically, FAA has had systemic management and acquisition problems that led GAO to designate its air traffic control modernization program as high risk between 1995 and 2009. GAO removed ATC modernization from its high risk list in January 2009 because of FAA's progress in addressing most of the root causes of its past problems and its commitment to sustaining progress in the future. These improvements should better position the agency to manage the transition to the next-generation air transportation system (NextGen), a large-scale multiagency effort aimed at increasing the safety and efficiency of the national transportation system

Highlights of GAO-07-310 (PDF), Highlights of GAO-09-271 (PDF)

• This effort is enormously complicated due to the technological complexities, numerous stakeholders, and broad scope of the effort. FAA estimates that NextGen will cost the federal government between $15 billion and $22 billion through 2025. GAO plans to closely monitor FAA's efforts to plan and implement this complex and costly system.
• While planning for NextGen has been ongoing over the past several years, few concrete NextGen operational improvements have been implemented in the National Air Space (NAS). In response to stakeholder concerns, FAA has shifted its focus from long-term planning to mid-term implementation of those operational improvements that can be put into the NAS through 2018. Furthermore, a recent task force commissioned by the FAA delivered industry consensus recommendations for specific operational improvements that maximize the capabilities of existing technologies. Key challenges for FAA include not only the timely acquisition of systems, but also the development of standards and procedures and timely certification and approvals necessary to use existing technologies. Other challenges include developing a plan for configuring facilities and airspace; dealing effectively with the environmental concerns related to aviation and affected communities; meeting research and development needs, and establishing credibility with stakeholders that the agency is fully committed to and capable of implementing NextGen.

  Highlights of GAO-08-1078 (PDF), Highlights of GAO-09-479T (PDF)

^ Back to topWhat Needs to Be Done

• To help ensure the successful planning and implementation of NextGen, GAO has reported to Congress that FAA and the Joint Planning and Development Office (an interagency organization within FAA created to plan and coordinate NextGen research and development) need to continue revising planning documents for NextGen to include information to enhance oversight, recruit and integrate the staff with the necessary critical technical skills, and prioritize research and development activities.

  Highlights of GAO-08-1078 (PDF)

• GAO has also told Congress that FAA has the dual challenge of maintaining current air traffic control systems and simultaneously implementing NextGen and reconfiguring national airspace system infrastructure to fully realize all of NextGen's capabilities.

  Highlights of GAO-08-1154T (PDF)

^ Back to topKey Reports

Responses to Questions for the Record

Next Generation Air Transportation System

National Airspace System

Next Generation Air Transportation System

Air Traffic Control

Next Generation Air Transportation System

More Reports