Both Isom and Duffy highlighted that aviation safety remains strong and is a top priority across the transportation system, highlighting that continuous improvement is driven by strong collaboration between government, regulators and aviation companies.
Duffy outlined the Department of Transportation’s focus on modernizing the nation’s air traffic control system, noting ongoing efforts to retain and recruit qualified air traffic controllers, and that a $12.5 billion federal investment is already underway to upgrade infrastructure.
“We’re going to make this the best, but the safest system in the world,” Duffy said. “I’ve got a team that rallies around that. It’s true, if you don’t have safety, you don’t have the business. It’s about being smart in how we think about the risk and the upgrades, all with the safety of the American people in the back of our minds.”
Both leaders acknowledged the fast pace of innovation in the transportation and aviation space. While embracing new technology is essential, Duffy reaffirmed that innovation can never come at the expense of safety.
