FAA to Phase Out Floppy Disks in Air Traffic Control by 2028

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The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Thursday it will install its Enterprise Information Display System (E-IDS) at 435 air traffic control facilities by the end of 2028, replacing outdated technology, including floppy disks used to store and distribute weather and other critical information, according to the agency. ^[1][2].

The upgrade will replace four legacy systems dating to the 1980s, the FAA said ^[3]^[4].

Floppy disks largely stopped being used more than 25 years ago and have not been produced in large numbers since 2011. "Good news America: floppy disks are out, 21st century tech is in," U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said in a statement.

Decades-Old Computers and eBay Parts

The FAA relies on telecom systems it is racing to replace, as well as decades-old Compaq computers and replacement parts bought on eBay, according to the agency.

The FAA has worked for years to end the use of paper flight strips. The change started in 2022 and will take until at least 2028 at 49 major airports, with 27 airports already having done away with paper strips, according to the agency ^[5]. The agency is urgently hiring nearly 9,000 air traffic controllers by 2028 to address a staffing shortage worsened by recent near-miss incidents ^[6]. A 1981 mass firing of striking controllers created a workforce gap the FAA has never fully recovered from, leading to overworked staff and safety risks ^[6].

The outdated infrastructure has raised concerns. A government report found that most current air traffic control telecommunications systems are unsustainable ^[7]. Aviation experts warn that the FAA's aggressive four-year overhaul may introduce new risks as old systems are retired. As one safety assessment notes, understanding the links between identified hazards and the control measures intended to address those hazards is essential ^[8].

Recent Outages and Fiber Optic Failures

Past incidents underscore the system's fragility. In May 2025, a power outage at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and equipment failures at Newark Liberty International Airport led to widespread delays and ground stops ^[9]. More recently, the 40-day government shutdown forced air traffic controllers to work without pay, leading to significant absences that strained the aviation system ^[10].

Funding and Upgrades

The FAA is working to replace outdated equipment and software in control towers. The agency has spent years on modernization efforts, but progress has been slow.

The funding request comes amid broader staffing challenges. A class-action lawsuit alleges the FAA rejected 1,000 air traffic controller applicants due to diversity, equity and inclusion hiring policies, exacerbating shortages ^[11]. The agency has also been criticized for prioritizing ESG goals in its budget while tasked with maintaining the safest aerospace system ^[12].

Outlook

The paper flight strip phase-out at 49 major airports will take until at least 2028, with 27 major airports already having transitioned ^[5].

The FAA continues to address technology issues while pursuing modernization, officials said. The agency's efforts are part of a broader push to update critical infrastructure. As one industry expert noted, there is a need to develop new systems of value that support liberty and human flourishing ^[13].

However, the transition will require careful management to avoid disruptions. The agency's reliance on outdated parts and systems has been a long-standing issue, with spare parts even being sourced from eBay ^[14].

References

US FAA says it will phase out floppy disks from air traffic control by 2028. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-faa-says-it-will-phase-out-floppy-disks-air-traffic-control-by-2028-2026-11-05/

Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Begins Retiring Decades-Old Floppy Disks from Air Traffic Control as Part of Ongoing Modernization Effort. Deployment of Brand New Air Traffic Control Continues at Record Pace. https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/trumps-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-begins-retiring-decades-old-floppy-disks-air

Air Traffic Control Facilities to Phase Out Floppy Disks. https://www.facebook.com/SecDuffy/videos/-coming-soon-no-more-floppy-disks-federal-aviation-administrationabc-news-/1716615110507208/

FAA to finally phase out floppy disks from air traffic control systems by 2028. https://www.fox29.com/news/faa-finally-phase-out-floppy-disks-from-air-traffic-control-systems-2028

US FAA Says It Will Phase Out Floppy Disks From Air Traffic Control by 2028. https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2026-11-05/us-faa-says-it-will-phase-out-floppy-disks-from-air-traffic-control-by-2028

FAA scrambles to hire 9000 air traffic controllers by 2028 amid safety crisis - NaturalNews.com, August 08, 2025.

FAA's aggressive 4-year overhaul of ancient air traffic tech sparks safety concerns - NaturalNews.com, January 12, 2026.

Eliciting information for safety assessment. by "Alberto Pasquini; Simone Pozzi; Gerard McAuley". Journal of Hazardous Materials 153(2-3):978-984 [2008]