WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced it awarded $12 million to 19 companies for drone research and testing projects that will help safely expand drone operations in the National Airspace System.

These awards were made through the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Program. The program funds companies working with FAA-designated UAS Test Sites to test and evaluate technologies that support safe drone integration.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) exceeded its Fiscal Year 2026 goal, hiring 2,235 air traffic controller trainees, the most in FAA history. This record follows the highly successful gamer campaign that recruited more than 12,000 qualified Americans to apply in just 24 hours.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes a $87,000 civil penalty against Comfylife, LLC of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, for allegedly violating U.S. Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations. 

The FAA alleges that between November 2025 and April 2026, Comfylife offered numerous shipments of various products for transportation by air that contained flammable and non-flammable aerosols, flammable liquid adhesive, flammable liquid paint, and lithium-ion batteries. Each is classified as a hazardous material.  

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investing $84.4 million in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants in Texas, North Carolina, and Wyoming airports. 

These dollars will go towards strengthening and modernizing essential facilities, improving airfield infrastructure, enhancing passenger amenities, and addressing needs that support safe and efficient airport operations.

This round of AIP grants includes:

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced it issued McKinney National Airport a Part 139 Airport Operating Certificate, which allows the airport to accommodate commercial passenger airline service. This marks the first time a Texas airport has received an Airport Operating Certificate since 2005.  

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes a $260,868 civil penalty against ExcelAire, LLC of New York and Georgia for allegedly conducting unauthorized charter operations.

The FAA alleges that in August 2025, ExcelAire operated two flights for compensation or hire after the company’s director of operations surrendered the company’s air carrier certificate to the FAA in June 2025, when that person, and the remainder of the company’s required management personnel, resigned.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has partnered with Shenandoah University in Virginia to join the Enhanced Air Traffic – Collegiate Training Initiative (E-CTI). Students who pass the E-CTI program can apply to become a controller on a fast track – skipping the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City and jumping straight to on-site facility training.