US aviation agency to replace floppy disks with centralized data system

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to retire floppy disks from its air traffic control infrastructure by the end of 2028.

The agency will replace four legacy information systems dating back to the 1980s with a new Enterprise Information Display System (E-IDS). This centralized platform will allow air traffic controllers to view weather reports, flight alerts, and aviation advisories on a single display instead of using manual processes and separate systems.

The FAA will roll out the technology across 435 facilities. The first five locations to receive the system include Atlantic City International Airport, Nashville International Airport, Greater Rochester International Airport, and FAA data processing hubs in Atlanta and Salt Lake City. Bryan Bedford, the FAA administrator, stated that the agency wants to make critical information available more quickly across its networks to move away from outdated processes. The modernization effort follows several communication failures and infrastructure issues.

The FAA currently relies on some computers from the company Company and sources replacement parts from eBay. Recent cable cuts and circuit failures in locations like Philadelphia and New Jersey caused flight delays and ground stops. To fund these upgrades, Congress approved $12.5 billion last year, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is seeking an additional $30 billion for further improvements.