Transportation Secretary announces deployment of 100th airport surface safety system

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced on September 2, 2026, that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has installed its 100th Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) system. This aircraft and vehicle surveillance tool is designed to improve runway efficiency and safety by enabling air traffic controllers to track surface traffic in real-time, even in poor weather conditions. The deployment marks nearly half of the 220 airports slated to receive the system, with plans for installation at another 44 airports by the end of 2026.