05.12.25

ICYMI: Sullivan Applauds “Big and Bold” Upgrades to Alaska Aviation Safety

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Sullivan (R-Alaska) welcomed the announcement of upgrades to air traffic control systems with Alaska-specific provisions from the Department of Transportation (DOT) in an interview on Friday with Alaska’s News Source. The federal overhaul includes top-to-bottom reforms to the U.S. air traffic control system and the addition of 174 new weather stations specifically for Alaska. Sen. Sullivan emphasized the transformative potential of these upgrades for Alaska aviation safety.

The planned upgrades follow Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy’s commitment to Sen. Sullivan to strongly support Alaska aviation safety, especially as Alaska faces an aviation accident rate 2.35 times higher than the national average.

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Click here or the image above to watch Sen. Sullivan’s interview.

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‘It is big and it is bold’: safety upgrades could improve flying in Alaska

By: Rebecca Palsha

May 9, 2025

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Alaska is getting much-needed upgrades to improve the safety of flying in Alaska.

That news was hailed as a major win for a state with the highest crash and fatality flying rates in the country.

“It is big and it is bold and it is needed,” Sen. Dan Sullivan said Friday morning.

“This is a giant announcement. I am very, very excited,” Sullivan went on to say.

Sullivan said the state will get 174 new weather stations, which is part of Department of Transportation air traffic control and safety infrastructure upgrades across the country.

“We’ve got to look at the details,” Sullivan said. “Some of them will be new, some of them will be updated.”

According to Sullivan’s office, the state Department of Transportation and Public Facilities — among other upgrades in the United States — will replace antiquated telecommunications with new fiber, wireless, and satellite technologies at over 4,600 sites, with 25,000 new radios and 475 new voice switches as well as replacing 618 radars which have gone past their life cycle.

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“174 — that is a huge number,” Sullivan said. “Even I was shocked, and I’ve been pressing this issue for 10 years.”

The plan will need approval from Congress.

Click here to read the full article.

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