Video highlights 1980s floppy disks still being used in control towers
WASHINGTON, May 21, 2025 — The Modern Skies Coalition, which is comprised of more than 50 aviation industry organizations, is intensifying its campaign to spotlight the urgent need for Congress to act swiftly to modernize ATC technology and infrastructure.
As part of its ongoing public affairs initiatives, the Modern Skies Coalition’s 1980s video began airing on Fox News Channel (Fox and Friends) and Fox Business (Mornings with Maria) this week. The 30-second spot is designed to reach key audiences in the Washington, D.C., area – especially members of Congress – to underscore the message that the U.S. air traffic control system can no longer rely on outdated technology which includes floppy disks, copper wires and paper strips.
The video opens with a 1980s soundtrack and shows images including video games, a cassette player and a landline phone in addition to a large desktop computer and a floppy disk. At that point, the voice changes and flashes to scenes of today, noting that some air traffic control facilities still use outdated equipment like floppy disks. The video ends by saying, “The time for change is now.”
At a press conference on May 8, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, “When systems go down… we don’t call the manufacturer to buy replacement parts for this equipment. Where do we go? eBay. We shop on eBay to replace parts to fix our equipment in the system that keeps you safe, keeps your family safe… that is 100 percent unacceptable, especially for the greatest country that’s ever existed on the face of the earth.”
The Modern Skies Coalition continues to drive sustained campaign efforts to ensure ATC modernization remains a top priority and has expressed strong support for Secretary Duffy’s plan to update our nation’s air traffic control system. Following the announcement, the Coalition issued a statement saying in part:
We strongly support Secretary Duffy’s plan to rebuild our nation’s air traffic control system. Recent issues—especially those at DCA and EWR—remind us of the urgent need for a sharp focus on the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) and the dire necessity to address antiquated technology and the staffing shortage.
We are deeply appreciative that Secretary Duffy has made our nation’s air traffic control system a priority and look forward to working with the Administration and Congress to bring this vision to fruition.
We must act now with strong purpose and commitment.
The full statement regarding Secretary Duffy’s plan is available here.