FAA to replace 1980s floppy disks in US air traffic control

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced the phase-out of 1980s-era floppy disk technology currently used in more than 400 air traffic control facilities across the United States. The agency is introducing the Enterprise Information Display System (E-IDS), a digital platform designed to consolidate data that is currently managed by four separate, outdated systems. These systems handle weather, airport conditions, airspace information, and flight data.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the transition marks a move toward 21st-century technology. The first five sites to receive the E-IDS include airports in Atlantic City, Nashville, and Rochester, as well as data processing centers in Atlanta and Salt Lake City. The FAA aims to have the system operational at 435 sites by the end of 2028.

The modernization effort follows warnings from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) regarding the sustainability of aging air traffic systems. It also responds to recent technical vulnerabilities, including a 2023 incident where a deleted file temporarily suspended domestic flights, and radar and radio contact disruptions in early 2025. Congress allocated 12.5 billion dollars in July 2025 toward modernization efforts.