U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford have unveiled plans to implement a comprehensive reorganisation of the FAA’s structure.
The initiative, described as the largest in the agency’s history, aims to enhance safety oversight, support technological integration, and improve transparency.
A central feature of the overhaul is the creation of a new Aviation Safety Management System (SMS) office. Supported by Congress in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, the office will implement a single safety management framework for the entire agency, replacing the previous system in which safety metrics were managed separately by multiple offices.
Other organisational changes include:
- Establishing an Airspace Modernisation office to oversee the rollout of a new air traffic control system
- Launching an Advanced Aviation Technologies office to manage the integration of drones, eVTOLs, and other advanced air mobility vehicles into U.S. airspace
- Moving key leadership roles into permanent positions
- Consolidating the administration of finance, IT, and human resources under the FAA Administrator
The reorganisation is not expected to involve staff reductions.
Secretary Duffy said:Thanks to President Trump and Republicans in Congress, we received an unprecedented $12.5 billion down payment to modernise our skies. But funding is only one piece of the puzzle. With these critical organisational changes, the FAA can streamline the bureaucracy, encourage innovation, and deliver a new air traffic control system at the speed of Trump – all while enhancing safety.
The changes align with the FAA’s Flight Plan 2026, a strategic framework built on three pillars: workforce, safety, and National Airspace System modernisation. The plan sets out steps for strengthening safety management, incorporating advanced technologies, and improving agency operations.
New FAA Structure
Administration and Finance Office: Includes Finance and Management, Information and Technology, and Human Resources divisions.
Policy and Legal Office: Covers strategic policy, legal, stakeholder engagement, financial assistance, rulemaking, and regulatory functions.
Airspace Modernisation Office: Responsible for modernising the National Airspace System through planning, R&D, systems engineering, and portfolio management.
Air Traffic Organization: Maintains responsibility for air navigation services.
Aviation Safety Management System Organisation: Centralises safety management previously conducted across five separate business lines.
Office of Advanced Aviation Technologies: Oversees integration of Advanced Air Mobility, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and supersonic aircraft.
Office of Commercial Space Transportation: Continues regulation of the commercial space sector.
Security and Intelligence Organisation: Conducts security and intelligence activities.
Aviation Safety Oversight and Certification Organisation: Maintains certification and oversight functions of the former Aviation Safety Organisation.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said:It’s important that we have the right people in the right places to do the best work possible. These actions will put permanent leaders in place who embrace innovation, share safety data and insights freely and are focused on deploying a brand-new air traffic control system all while integrating key innovation technologies into the new National Airspace System (NAS).
The FAA plans to implement the reorganisation over the coming months, with the aim of improving internal coordination and preparing the agency to manage emerging aviation technologies.
