The nation's air traffic control system is obsolete and understaffed, which significantly degrades safety, aviation industry experts told the House Aviation Subcommittee Tuesday morning.

Industry officials testified to Congress about the air traffic controller shortage and technology shortfalls. Elon Musk and DOGE, however, became contentious flash points. Aviation industry officials urged Congress to modernize the air traffic control system and address workforce shortages.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced plans to "supercharge" hiring efforts for air traffic controllers after a recent slew of fatal air crashes.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the administration would boost pay for trainees and streamline hiring to get more people started in the lengthy training process and into air traffic

Aviation industry and labor groups pushed for faster upgrades to U.S. air traffic control systems and hiring. The testimony before a House committee hearing on air traffic control comes about a month after the deadliest U.

After criticizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) upon his return to office, President Donald Trump took steps to slash jobs at the agency — but his administration now appears to be changing its tune.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced pay raises and hiring boosts for air traffic controller trainees at the FAA academy in Oklahoma City.