Washington — A new and significant organizational overhaul to the Federal Aviation Administration will include a single, streamlined safety management system and a safety oversight office, according to the Department of Transportation.
DOT announced the “comprehensive reorganization” on Jan. 26. An agency press release calls it the largest restructuring in FAA history.
The move includes the creation of an office charged with implementing one safety management system and risk management strategy for the entire agency, as supported under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.
Further, the new Aviation Safety Oversight and Certification Organization will resume the work of the former Aviation Safety Organization, the release states.
FAA will also form an office to oversee the integration of drones and other advanced aviation technologies into the airspace. Another office will help manage FAA’s efforts to modernize air traffic control – a priority of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy amid various recent high-profile aviation incidents nationwide.
In December, FAA unveiled plans to establish a new air traffic control system by the end of 2028.
“It’s important that we have the right people in the right places to do the best work possible,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said in the release. “These actions will put permanent leaders in place who embrace innovation, share safety data and insights freely, and are focused on deploying a brand-new air traffic control system, all while integrating key innovation technologies into the new National Airspace System.”
Duffy added that organizational change comes “all while enhancing safety.”
The reorganization won’t result in reductions in force, DOT says.
