Elon Musk announced on Thursday that he is providing his Starlink satellite internet terminals to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), while also claiming, without evidence, that current technology poses a risk to air travel safety. The statement was made on his social media platform, X. Musk, an advisor to President Donald Trump, has been tasked with reducing federal government costs. Executives from major airlines told CNBC they do not see any risks to air travel safety due to the FAA’s current technology.
The FAA, which oversees Musk’s company SpaceX, did not immediately respond to the claims but mentioned earlier this week that it has been testing Starlink technology in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Alaska. “The FAA has been considering the use of Starlink since the prior administration to increase reliability at remote sites, including in Alaska,” the agency said. This week, the FAA is testing one terminal in Atlantic City and two terminals at non-critical sites in Alaska.
The Washington Post reported that the FAA is close to canceling a contract with Verizon for air traffic control communication technology, opting instead for Musk’s Starlink. Musk claimed on X that a Verizon communication system for air traffic control is deteriorating rapidly. However, Verizon clarified that the FAA systems are managed by L3Harris, not Verizon. Musk later acknowledged that L3Harris is responsible for the declining system.
Verizon stated that it is working on replacing older air traffic control technology, supporting the FAA’s mission for safe air travel. “Our Company is working on building the next generation system for the FAA… We are at the beginning of a multi-year contract to replace antiquated, legacy systems,” Verizon said.
Concerns have been raised by some lawmakers about potential conflicts of interest with Musk’s role in the Trump administration and his dealings with regulators. Sen. Ed Markey expressed concerns over Musk’s dual position as CEO of SpaceX and his influence in the administration. Additionally, Sen. Tammy Duckworth questioned layoffs at the FAA, seeking clarity on how these changes might impact safety and operations.
— news from CNBC