Pete Buttigieg neglected critical air traffic control system modernization during his tenure as Transportation Secretary, instead directing tens of billions toward diversity initiatives.
This was all while America’s aviation infrastructure remained dangerously outdated, according to federal spending records and airline industry insiders.
Industry executives report that Buttigieg directly questioned the value of upgrading air traffic control systems during departmental meetings.
When presented with modernization proposals, the former secretary allegedly told aviation leaders that improved systems would merely enable more flights, asking “why would that be in his interest?”
Federal records reveal that Buttigieg’s Department of Transportation (DOT) allocated over $80 billion to diversity, equity and inclusion grants across four years.
This massive expenditure represented at least half of the DOT’s typical annual budget, marking an unprecedented shift in departmental priorities.
An airline industry official characterized Buttigieg’s approach as agenda-driven, stating the transportation secretary demonstrated “little to no interest” in air traffic control modernization and took “definitely zero action” toward upgrading the antiquated systems.
Throughout his cabinet service, Buttigieg consistently blamed airlines for flight delays while defending his department’s policies.
Industry sources describe his approach as “vilifying” airlines while maintaining systems that have remained largely unchanged since the Carter administration.
The aviation industry faced significant operational challenges during Buttigieg’s tenure, with insiders pointing to chronic staffing shortages and outdated infrastructure as primary causes of delays and cancellations affecting millions of passengers.
Department of Transportation officials initially resisted acknowledging air traffic controller shortages or connecting staffing issues to flight disruptions, according to industry representatives who worked directly with the agency during this period.
Chris Meagher, Buttigieg’s spokesman, disputed these characterizations, highlighting increased air traffic controller hiring and various technological improvements implemented during the secretary’s term.
He cited software enhancements for runway efficiency, new flight routes designed to reduce travel times, and communications technology upgrades.
Meagher emphasized that Biden’s infrastructure legislation provided $5 billion specifically for air traffic facilities, towers and power systems.
He noted that congressional Republicans blocked an additional $8 billion in requested funding for fiscal year 2025.
The spokesman defended Buttigieg’s safety focus across all transportation modes, noting that 40,000 Americans die annually on the nation’s roads.
He characterized air traffic control improvements as a departmental priority throughout Buttigieg’s service.
Department statistics show weather caused 54.3 percent of flight cancellations during Buttigieg’s term, while air carriers accounted for 34.7 percent.
The National Aviation System contributed to just 10.6 percent of cancellations during this period.
Flight performance data indicates nearly 80 percent of flights operated on schedule between January 2021 and 2025.
Air carrier issues caused approximately 7 percent of delays, with late-arriving aircraft and aviation system problems each contributing similar percentages.
Industry officials acknowledged persistent carrier delays following the COVID-19 pandemic but argued that infrastructure funding primarily supported facility maintenance rather than true modernization efforts.
They estimated routine maintenance costs at approximately $3.5 billion annually.
Despite improved hiring numbers in recent years, the aviation industry continues struggling with high dropout rates and surging retirements among experienced air traffic controllers, creating ongoing staffing challenges.
Industry representatives explained how delay attribution works in practice, noting that weather-related disruptions early in the day cascade throughout flight schedules, ultimately appearing as carrier-caused delays in official statistics.
Aviation officials characterized Buttigieg as more interested in television appearances than addressing fundamental infrastructure problems affecting 182 million annual passengers, per an exclusive report by the New York Post.
The Federal Aviation Administration has operated with approximately 80 percent of target staffing levels since at least 2017.
A major system failure in January 2023 forced the first nationwide flight grounding since September 11, 2001, stranding thousands of passengers due to an FAA computer outage that highlighted infrastructure vulnerabilities.
Industry trade associations warned Buttigieg in April 2024 that current hiring rates could require 90 years to achieve adequate staffing levels at critical New York area air traffic control centers.
Federal spending reviews reveal approximately 400 DEI-related grants approved between 2021 and 2024, compared to just 60 such grants during the previous administration totaling several billion dollars.
The Biden administration’s “Justice40” program directed 55 percent of roughly $150 billion in infrastructure investments toward “disadvantaged communities” pursuant to executive order requirements for advancing equitable outcomes.
A prominent example of questionable spending efficiency emerged from the $5 billion electric vehicle charging station initiative, which produced only seven completed stations by June 2024 despite the substantial investment.
Internal White House polling identified airline consumer issues as politically advantageous topics during a period when the administration faced limited positive messaging opportunities, according to industry sources familiar with the strategy.
Meagher defended the department’s DEI initiatives as separate from FAA operations, arguing that different transportation modes operate independently with distinct staff, budgets and programs allowing simultaneous focus on multiple priorities.
Buttigieg frequently criticized airlines publicly, holding the industry responsible for flight cancellations and additional passenger fees rather than addressing FAA airspace management issues that affect nationwide operations.
Just twelve days before the recent election, Buttigieg’s department implemented federal rules requiring airlines to compensate passengers up to $1,000 for delays and cancellations, regardless of original ticket prices, prompting industry criticism of political timing.
Meagher highlighted consumer protection achievements including automatic refunds for cancelled flights, proposed rules for family seating arrangements and wheelchair damage compensation requirements, along with $4 billion in consumer refunds from departmental investigations.
David Grizzle, who served in senior FAA roles during the Obama administration, noted that transportation secretaries typically focus more attention on highways and bridges than aviation due to the position’s broad responsibilities across seven different transportation modes.
Grizzle acknowledged the absence of remarkable aviation achievements during Buttigieg’s tenure while noting that budget shortfalls began in the 2010s and worsened over time, predating the current administration.
The post Buttigieg Prioritized $80B DEI Spending Over Critical Air Traffic Control Upgrades, Industry Sources Reveal appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
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Author: Jordyn M.
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