FAA to pilot AI traffic management system at DC-area airports

The Federal Aviation Administration is launching a pilot program to test artificial intelligence-powered air traffic management at three Washington, D.C.-area airports, according to multiple reports.

The system, called SMART (Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes and Trajectories), will debut at Dulles International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, and Reagan National Airport beginning in fall 2026. The pilot program is scheduled to run for 90 days, according to Politico.

How the system works

SMART is a cloud-based platform that uses artificial intelligence to analyze multiple data streams simultaneously: airline schedules, airport capacity, weather conditions, and operational constraints. The system is designed to predict traffic flows and identify potential conflicts before they materialize, with the goal of reducing delays and improving overall air traffic performance.

AI recommendations generated by SMART will be disseminated from the FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center in Warrenton, Virginia, The New York Times reported. The technology is part of a nearly $900 million FAA technology contract.

Human controllers remain in charge

The FAA has emphasized that SMART will not replace human air traffic controllers, who will continue to be responsible for maintaining safe separation between aircraft. The Times also reported that the program is not designed to direct flight changes directly.

The clarification comes amid broader concerns about AI deployment in critical infrastructure. According to FOX 5 DC, many passengers at the affected airports were unaware of the coming pilot program and expressed mixed reactions when informed.

Why it matters

This pilot represents one of the first large-scale deployments of AI in U.S. air traffic management, a domain where even minor errors can have catastrophic consequences. The FAA's choice to test in the congested D.C. airspace—which includes some of the nation's busiest airports and most complex flight patterns—signals confidence in the technology while also providing a rigorous proving ground. If successful, the system could reshape how the agency manages the National Airspace System, potentially reducing the cascading delays that cost airlines and passengers billions annually. The 90-day timeline will be closely watched by aviation stakeholders worldwide as a bellwether for AI's role in safety-critical operations.

The details of the pilot program were first reported by The New York Times, The Washington Times, and Politico, and confirmed by FOX 5 DC reporter Stephanie Ramirez.