FAA rolls out cautious AI tool to ease DC-area flight congestion

Airlines and regulators are proceeding with a cautious 90-day test of SMART, the FAA’s new AI tool (Strategic Management of Airspace Routing Trajectories) to propose alternative routes and forecast weather, aiming to ease congestion without changing existing procedures. The limited rollout at three DC-area airports will use SMART within current systems before wider deployment, amid industry questions but growing optimism as part of a $875 million modernization plan following past aviation incidents.