Elon Musk has sent Starlink satellite internet terminals to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) while claiming that current technology poses a risk to air travel safety, despite lacking evidence to support his claims.
The FAA has been considering using Starlink for remote sites since the prior administration. The agency is currently testing the technology in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Alaska. Executives at major airlines say they do not see an immediate safety risk due to the FAA’s existing technology.
Musk claimed that a Verizon communication system for air traffic control is “breaking down very rapidly.” However, L3Harris, which operates the current FAA systems, contradicted this claim. The FAA has been working on replacing older air traffic control technology with a new system, which will support the agency’s mission for safe and secure air travel.
Some Democrat lawmakers have raised concerns about Musk’s dual role as CEO of SpaceX and his involvement in the Trump administration. They question whether this potential conflict-of-interest could impact the FAA’s decision-making process.
The aviation industry has long called for air traffic modernization, citing the need for updated systems to reduce flight delays and improve safety. A recent fatal collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter highlighted the importance of addressing these concerns.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/27/elon-musk-starlink-faa-safety-claims.html