FAA Plans to Ditch Floppy Disks From Air Traffic Control by 2028

The FAA is undertaking a major modernization effort to purge floppy disk technology from its air traffic control operations, with a target completion date of late 2028. The initiative will overhaul legacy systems spanning 435 facilities nationwide. On November 5, the agency unveiled its strategy, centered on deploying a unified digital platform designed to accelerate how controllers access weather data, flight notifications and other mission-critical operational details.

FAA administrator Bryan Bedford characterized the shift as a fundamental break from antiquated, labor-intensive practices. "We're moving away from outdated, manual processes and replacing technology that once relied on floppy disks with a modern system that allows controllers to instantly share critical flight alerts, restricted airspace schedules and pilot reports," he stated. Bedford emphasized that the agency's goal is to distribute vital information across its networks with minimal delay.

The centerpiece of this overhaul is the Enterprise Information Display System, or E-IDS, which will consolidate four separate legacy platforms that trace their origins to the 1980s. Rather than depending on isolated information terminals and hand-operated workflows, air traffic controllers will gain access to a single integrated dashboard presenting real-time operational changes, system malfunctions, meteorological events and aviation notices. Five initial deployment sites have been selected: Atlantic City International Airport, Nashville International Airport, Greater Rochester International Airport, and FAA computing centers in Atlanta and Salt Lake City. The rollout could ultimately extend to as many as 453 locations by the conclusion of 2028.