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Critics of FAA reauthorization bill say it fails to address major upgrades to air traffic control system

Congress has pushed off deadlines for the reauthorization bill, but the next one is at the end of September.

A jet makes an evening landing June 21, 2001 at Los Angeles International Airport. 
A jet makes an evening landing June 21, 2001 at Los Angeles International Airport. 
David McNew/Getty Images

The bill that gives a nod to federal aviation spending over the next five years passed the U.S. House but has yet to take flight in the Senate. The Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill includes changes to airline ticket fees, and safety upgrades. But critics say the bill falls short in one area: improving the nation’s air traffic control system, which they say is under strain as the industry expands to accommodate more and more passengers. Commercial air carriers have been pushing to move the nation’s air traffic control system from radar to GPS.

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