FAA Issues Alia 250 Survey Certificate as ATC Modernization Funding Advances

At NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas on October 21, 2026, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed business aviation attendees about the administration’s air traffic control modernization effort and FAA certification. The same-day report also described an FAA certificate for Beta Technologies’ Alia 250, allowing flights with potential customers under specified limits.

The administration is seeking an additional $30 billion for a second phase of air traffic control modernization.

What has been confirmed

The available fact set classifies these details as likely, not officially confirmed. It says Congress appropriated $12.5 billion to begin the modernization effort, known as the Brand New Air Traffic Control System, through the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The administration is seeking another $30 billion for a second phase. The report says Sen. Eric Schmitt introduced the Modern Skies Act, S. 5572, in September 2026; the bill would authorize $30 billion in supplemental FAA funding for modernization technology, air traffic control tower replacement, and grants to certain midsize airports. The report describes the Alia 250 certificate as a first-of-its-kind Special Airworthiness Market Survey Certificate. It permits flights with potential customers, but not commercial or revenue operations. Duffy said the FAA is working to streamline certification and argued that faster certification need not compromise safety. The fact set does not identify separate official confirmation for these details.

Why it matters

Air traffic control modernization can affect the systems that support commercial flights, business aviation, and future aircraft operations. The funding figures outline the scale of the reported effort: $12.5 billion appropriated to start it, with a further $30 billion sought. For advanced-aircraft developers, a market-survey certificate offers a defined way to fly with potential customers before commercial service, while keeping revenue operations outside the certificate’s scope.

FlyMarshall context

Air traffic control systems help controllers coordinate aircraft movements and maintain orderly traffic flows across busy airspace. Modernization can involve replacing aging equipment and introducing updated technology, while airport tower projects can affect the facilities controllers use to manage local traffic. For passengers, these are behind-the-scenes systems; for operators and airports, the timing and scope of upgrades can shape how they plan operations. The Alia 250 certificate described here supports customer-facing flights, but does not authorize paid service.

What happens next

The fact set does not give a timeline for the proposed additional $30 billion or for action on the Modern Skies Act. It also provides no schedule for Alia 250 market-survey flights or a date for commercial operations. Those details remain unconfirmed in the supplied information.