Without specifically mentioning the word “privatization,” U.S. Senate Commerce Committee chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) yesterday issued a call to action to the aviation community to work together on an overhaul of the nation’s air traffic control (ATC) system.

During a speech before the Aero Club of Washington on Thursday, Cruz noted that the recent series of fatal crashes only underscored the need to update the nation’s aging air traffic system. Calling the ATC system antiquated and based on World War II technology, he further pointed out that the air traffic controllers are still using paper strips and floppy disks, and of the 300 ATC facilities, only 23 have met staffing standards.

But Cruz doesn’t believe the problems stem from a lack of funding: “The FAA has spent billions of dollars on delayed or failed modernization projects while the users of the airspace are left struggling to grow inside of a broken system that can’t handle more.”

Instead, he said the system was broken and the status quo is not working. “In an era of AI and automation, is the current ATC system really the best we can do?” Cruz asked and said, “The time of doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results is over.”

Congress, the FAA, and stakeholders alike all have a role in it, he said, asking stakeholders to avoid reflexively resisting change. “I know this has been a controversial topic for many in this room—particularly within the last 10 years,” Cruz said, referencing past battles in the aviation community over proposals to privatize the nation’s air traffic control system or move toward a user-fee system instead of the existing excise taxes. “I’ve spoken with many of you over the years.”

The community collectively must explore how the FAA’s air traffic organization works and whether reforms would be necessary in how it is managed and financed, as well as how procurement works, he stressed.

“I intend to engage with users of all shapes and sizes to determine what the air traffic control of the future should look like and how it should work, for all users. The U.S. airspace is open to all—as it should be. I will honor that key principle while ensuring all facets of aviation remain robust and can operate efficiently. That requires a sustainable air traffic control model.”

Cruz’s remarks follow similar arguments raised in the past for privatization or some other model that would make the FAA an independent user-fee-funded organization. But he also indicated that he was open to new ideas, saying “changes need to be made….I can’t say what” and that he welcomed conversations.

His appearance before the Aero Club came a day after 34 organizations jointly sent a letter to congressional leaders, including Cruz, opposing a return to a privatization debate. The letter, which instead outlined a series of funding reforms and priorities for ATC, expressed concern that resurrecting privatization concepts would only serve as a distraction to work that needs to be accomplished.

However, some conservative Washington think tanks are pushing for privatization, and Project 2025 embraced by conservative organizations also favors such a move. When asked during his confirmation hearing on Thursday whether he supported privatization, Transportation Deputy Secretary nominee Steven Bradbury responded that it was not something he planned to pursue.