Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy took to social media this week to celebrate what he describes as President Donald Trump's dealmaking prowess, claiming the President personally negotiated $200 million in savings on a critical air traffic control contract.
The Art of the Deal, Aviation Edition
In a Wednesday post on X, Duffy outlined the administration's top priority: building a modernized air traffic control system that "makes our skies safer and more efficient than ever." But the real headline was his claim about Trump's negotiating speed.
According to Duffy, the Department of Transportation had hired a project manager for the massive undertaking. Then Trump got involved. "In five minutes, Donald Trump saved us $200 million on that contract," Duffy wrote, crediting the President's dealmaking skills.
Peraton Takes the Reins
The contract in question involves national security company Peraton, which Duffy had previously announced would lead the air traffic control system overhaul. The project is backed by $12.5 billion in funding approved by Congress and represents a fundamental infrastructure upgrade for American aviation.
Duffy noted that the DOT has already made significant progress, replacing roughly a third of the outdated copper wiring with fiber optic cables and transitioning the system from analog to digital technology. It's the kind of unglamorous but essential modernization that keeps planes from bumping into each other at 30,000 feet.
Pull-Ups and Political Jabs
In a somewhat unexpected turn, Duffy has also been promoting fitness at airports. He previously touted working out at terminal gyms, even doing pull-ups alongside Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. "Having pull-up bars in airports means you can stay fit while traveling," Duffy said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom wasn't impressed, criticizing Duffy for suggesting passengers work out while dealing with flight delays. The transportation secretary also faced off with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), calling her out for opposing the funding bill that bankrolled the air traffic control technology upgrade.
Airbus Adds to Aviation Headaches
While the DOT focuses on infrastructure, the aviation industry recently confronted fresh turbulence from aircraft manufacturer Airbus SE Airbus (EADSF) (EADSY). The company announced recalls for several aircraft from its A320 family after discovering that software issues potentially triggered by intense solar flares could cause steering problems.
Major carriers including American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL), United Airlines Holdings Inc. (UAL), and Delta Airlines Inc. (DAL) all confirmed they've resolved the issues with affected planes. Boeing Co. (BA) rival Airbus also identified separate problems with A320 family aircraft fuselages stemming from defective metal panels, though a company spokesperson confirmed to media outlets that those aircraft have been fixed as well.
Between government infrastructure overhauls and manufacturer recalls, it's been a busy season for anyone trying to keep commercial aviation running smoothly.