FAA Begins Retiring Decades Old Floppy Disks from Air Traffic Control

by Doris Putra 06 November 2026 3 min read 255x views

FAA Begins Retiring Decades Old Floppy Disks from Air Traffic Control

Thursday, November 5, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is continuing its historic modernization of America’s air traffic authority scheme by replacing outdated floppy disks that merge critical climate and another crucial data alongside a streamlined, 21st-century system.

The Enterprise – Information Display System (E-IDS) replaces four systems courtship rear to the 1980s that are in additional than 400 FAA facilities. E-IDS provides a single, safe scheme that gives air traffic controllers faster admission to data they need. It additionally volition decrease costly repairs and workarounds during enhancing safety for the American flying public.

The archetypal five accommodation to obtain these upgrades include:

Atlantic City International Airport
Nashville International Airport
Greater Rochester International Airport
Data handling hubs in Atlanta and Salt Lake City

The FAA plans to instal E-IDS in 435 sites by the end of 2028.

“Good news America: floppy disks are out, 21st hundred years tech is in,” stated U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “The top nation in the earth deserves a state-of-the-art air traffic authority system, and under President Trump, we’re delivering fair that. The facility of E-IDS is fair the latest indication that America’s brand new air traffic authority scheme is coming at lightning speed.”

Click HERE or complete to observe a video on the new technology.

“E-IDS gives air traffic controllers the data they need to create timely decisions and keep the flying community safe,” stated FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “We’re moving distant from outdated, manual processes and replacing innovation that formerly relied on floppy disks alongside a contemporary scheme that allows controllers to immediately portion crucial escape alerts, restricted airspace schedules and aviator reports throughout the National Airspace System.”

You can track the advancement of the Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) by province and airfield on our Modern Skies website.

Additional information:

E-IDS is a digital display commission that puts crucial operational data in one location so controllers can quickly see updates, position information, and alerts they need to keep air traffic moving safely and efficiently. This data includes notices concerning equipment issues and disruptions, air traffic conditions, climate impacts, and crucial advisories.

E-IDS volition additionally enhance how Pilot Reports (PIREPS) and Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) are collected and distributed. PIREPs are first-hand reports on climate conditions from pilots to air traffic controllers. Both provision critical data on real-time aviator conditions and enhance situational awareness for controllers.

Reminder:

Under Secretary Duffy’s leadership, the FAA is quickly moving to create upgrades to our air traffic authority scheme nationwide. We have already: