Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 53 mins ago
FAA to replace floppy-disk air traffic systems at 435 sites by 2028
The FAA is replacing four air traffic systems that still use floppy disks in the United States.
These systems date to the 1980s and share weather, flight alerts and other information with air traffic controllers.
The replacement, called E-IDS, brings key updates together on digital displays for controllers.
The FAA plans to install it at 435 sites by the end of 2028, starting with three airports and two data hubs.
The upgrade is part of a wider effort to modernize aging US air traffic control infrastructure, backed by $12.5 billion in funding through a federal tax and spending bill.
The Government Accountability Office has warned that poor coordination and incomplete cost planning could cause delays, budget overruns or disruptions to air traffic.
The FAA is also trying to hire more controllers amid a global shortage, so the disk replacement is one step in a larger overhaul.
The Federal Aviation Administration has begun replacing floppy-disk-based systems used in air traffic control with a digital display system.
The new Enterprise – Information Display System, or E-IDS, is intended to give controllers faster access to flight alerts, weather and other information.
The FAA plans to install E-IDS at 435 sites by the end of 2028.
The first five sites include three airports and data processing hubs in Atlanta and Salt Lake City.
The rollout is part of a wider effort to modernize aging US air traffic control infrastructure.
- Who
- The Federal Aviation Administration.
- What
- The FAA is replacing four air traffic control systems that rely on floppy disks with E-IDS.
- When
- The FAA announced the rollout on Thursday, November 5, 2026. It plans to install the system at 435 sites by the end of 2028.
- Where
- At air traffic control sites across the United States. The first locations include airports in Atlantic City, Nashville and Greater Rochester, and data processing hubs in Atlanta and Salt Lake City.
- Why
- The upgrade is intended to give controllers faster access to information, reduce repair expenses and improve safety.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The FAA awarded Leidos a roughly $292 million contract to develop E-IDS.
The GAO warned that the FAA needed better planning for its modernization effort.
The FAA announced that it had begun phasing out floppy-disk systems in air traffic control.
The FAA plans to install E-IDS at 435 sites.
- Replacement system
- Enterprise – Information Display System (E-IDS)
- Planned installations
- 435 sites by the end of 2028
- First airport sites
- Atlantic City International Airport, Nashville International Airport and Greater Rochester International Airport
- First data processing hubs
- Atlanta and Salt Lake City
- Development contract
- Roughly $292 million, awarded to Leidos in 2020
- Wider modernization funding
- $12.5 billion through President Trump’s tax and spending bill
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What people are saying
E-IDS gives air traffic controllers the information they need to make timely decisions and keep the flying public safe
is coming at lightning speed
Without them, the agency could end up causing air traffic disruptions or prolonging reliance on severely outdated systems