EXCLUSIVE: Trump's FAA touts new AI-powered tool helping thousands of passengers avoid flight delays

What happened: The FAA's AI-supported SMART air traffic tool has been rerouting flights to avoid congestion for nearly six weeks, per DOT data shared with Fox News Digital. Key numbers: Nearly 180 flights and about 24,000 passengers rerouted; flight times cut by more than 10 minutes on Why it matters: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said SMART will slash delays, reduce stress on controllers and lower travel prices as the program expands. The system does not direct aircraft independently; specialists validate its recommendations before local controllers decide whether to accept them.

The FAA's AI-supported SMART air traffic tool has been rerouting flights to avoid congestion for nearly six weeks, per DOT data shared with Fox News Digital.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said SMART will slash delays, reduce stress on controllers and lower travel prices as the program expands. The system does not direct aircraft independently; specialists validate its recommendations before local controllers decide whether to accept them.