U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford have announced a major reorganization of the FAA, described as the largest in the agency’s history. The new structure aims to improve safety, encourage innovation, and increase transparency within the agency.
A key element of this overhaul is the creation of a safety oversight office that will implement a single safety management system and risk management strategy across the entire FAA. This change will allow for greater sharing of safety data among different offices within the agency.
Other significant changes include establishing an Airspace Modernization office to oversee updates to air traffic control systems, forming an Advanced Aviation Technologies office to manage the integration of drones and other advanced air vehicles into U.S. airspace, moving more leadership roles into permanent positions, and consolidating finance, IT, and human resources under the administrator’s authority.
Officials emphasized that these structural changes will not result in any reductions in workforce.
“Thanks to President Trump and Republicans in Congress, we received an unprecedented $12.5 billion down payment to modernize our skies,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “But funding is only one piece of the puzzle. With these critical organizational changes, the FAA can streamline the bureaucracy, encourage innovation, and deliver a new air traffic control system at the speed of Trump – all while enhancing safety.”
“It’s important that we have the right people in the right places to do the best work possible,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “These actions will put permanent leaders in place who embrace innovation, share safety data and insights freely and are focused on deploying a brand-new air traffic control system all while integrating key innovation technologies into the new National Airspace System (NAS).”
The restructuring supports Flight Plan 2026, which outlines three main goals: supporting personnel, strengthening safety measures, and modernizing national airspace infrastructure. The plan reflects efforts to address current aviation challenges while preparing for future opportunities by focusing on workforce investment and operational efficiency.
Under this new structure:
- The Administration and Finance Office will now oversee finance, information technology, and human resource functions.
- The Policy and Legal Office will handle policy development, legal matters, stakeholder engagement, financial assistance programs as well as rulemaking responsibilities authorized by recent legislation.
- The Airspace Modernization Office is tasked with updating national airspace systems through planning and research.
- The Air Traffic Organization continues its mission for safe navigation services.
- A centralized Aviation Safety Management System organization brings together previously separate business lines related to safety management.
- The Office of Advanced Aviation Technologies leads integration efforts for advanced aircraft such as drones or supersonic planes.
- Commercial space transportation regulation remains under its dedicated office.
- Security operations continue through an established intelligence organization.
- Certification activities remain with a reorganized aviation safety oversight group.
No job losses are expected from these changes.
