Widebody passenger airplane landing at dusk with runway lights

Modernizing the National Airspace System — with safety intelligence at the center

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a clear charge: maintain the world’s safest airspace while preparing for new demands, new aircraft and new technologies. EY teams support this mission by strengthening the operational foundation where safety, data, workflows, compliance and mission decisions intersect.

A practical approach to modernization

Many firms focus only on technology deployment. EY teams take a systems-level view — integrating data architectures, trusted artificial intelligence (AI) and risk and compliance expertise — so modernization enhances rather than disrupts National Airspace System (NAS) operations. Our work focuses on the processes, data pathways and governance frameworks that keep the NAS resilient and adaptable.

From router to runway

We help optimize NAS performance, support the integration of drones and advanced air mobility, improve certification efficiency and embed zero-trust cybersecurity across the ecosystem. Throughout, we design solutions that enable the FAA workforce to operate more effectively, directly supporting Flight Plan 2026’s commitment to equipping personnel with the right tools and training.

EY teams help FAA build the systems that make evaluating, approving and overseeing emerging aviation technologies faster, safer and more accountable — all while preserving public trust.

Results that matter

Zero turbulence. Mission-ready systems. Modernization that lands cleanly, on time and on budget.

FAA Aviation Safety (AVS) Part 107 waivers for drone operations. The FAA has introduced brand-new regulations for autonomous vehicles (drones), for which its existing systems could not support key oversight activities. EY teams developed a new, more user-friendly interactive system, the Aviation Safety Hub. This has reduced processing time by more than 70% using AI and cut development time by 75% — without interrupting ongoing safety operations.

FAA IT service management (ITSM) modernization — ServiceNow transformation. EY teams modernized FAA’s internal service management capabilities through a migration and conversion to ServiceNow from its legacy BMC Remedy platform for the Office of Information and Technology (AIT). This reduced security risk, improved transparency and unified IT workflows across directorates — all while supporting ongoing FAA operations.

FAA Enterprise Financial Services (EFS). As the FAA’s collaborator on the EFS contract, EY teams are helping the FAA modernize by delivering innovative, end-to-end financial management, budgeting and operational support to automate core processes, elevate data-driven accountability and drive efficiencies across mission-critical programs and offices, extending measurable value agency-wide.
A real-time, integrated view of the NAS that drives safety intelligence for hazards, events and workforce enhancements.

FAA AJI Safety Trends and Insights — risk-based decision tools. EY teams helped the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Safety Office (AJI) integrate safety, weather, equipment and operational data into an end-to-end data product. This reduced insight-generation time from weeks to seconds and enabled risk-based, data-driven decision-making for controllers and technicians.

FAA AVS data modernization — building a trusted data environment. EY teams are modernizing FAA’s data capabilities to connect across the agency into a platform that allows improved self-service for data discovery and analytic requirements.

FAA Data Champion Program. EY teams are supporting enterprise-level service offices and creating data action plans that drive better data management while evolving each line of business (LOB) data services operating model.
FAA-adjacent low-code modernization (for example, low-code application platform (LCAP) delivery). EY teams are helping the FAA with low-code application platform modernization, unlocking reusable workflows and accelerating the path to automated certification systems.
FAA Technical Operations (Tech Ops) predictive maintenance. EY teams created predictive-maintenance optimization models using historical system health data, achieving 70%–90% accuracy in predicting equipment failures 3–7 days in advance, which directly optimized FAA assets serving 67 million customers monthly and enhanced service quality and reliability.

EY: confidence in motion

We do not just modernize systems. We work with the FAA to strengthen the mission from the inside out, helping America’s people and goods continue moving safely and efficiently.

jet, airplane on sunset sky - scenic sky background

Flying high: How predictive maintenance can take the FAA to new heights

Making better sense and use of data analytics to drive decision-making, from the federal government, to the on-site technician.

Diverse Air Traffic Control Team Working in a Modern Airport Tower at Night. Office Room is Full of Desktop Computer Displays with Navigation Screens, Airplane Flight Radar Data for Controllers.

How data and analytics enhances safety decision-making

Executing on a path to predictive analytics to help maintain the highest safety standards for air traffic operations.

The Team

Stacy Lindsay

Department of Transportation Global Client Service Partner, EY

Purpose-driven leader. Financial management transformation advisor. Proud wife and mother of three children.

Tysons, VA, United States

Andy Ho

Executive Director, EY Americas Technology Consulting, Ernst & Young LLP

Data modernization and artificial intelligence (AI) leader driving measurable impact for aviation safety by leveraging data, analytics and AI.

Los Angeles, CA, United States

Jeff Bristow

EY Americas Government & Public Sector Technology Consulting Leader

With more than 27 years of experience, Jeff is a trusted advisor and leader supporting complex modernization programs across diverse industries, with a specialized focus on Government and Public Sector transformation.

McLean, VA, United States

Amy Jones

US Public Sector AI Lead, EY

Unapologetic youth sports enthusiast who drives enterprise data literacy and AI adoption at scale. Lover of old homes and world explorer. Novice baker and future neighborhood tennis star.

Tysons, VA, United States

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.