Additionally, DOT and the National Association of Air Traffic Controllers, the air traffic controllers' union, struck a deal for further incentives to keep senior controllers in the ranks for longer.

The Trump administration is planning to modernize the aging US air traffic-control system after vulnerabilities with the existing system pushed United Airlines to cut flights at Newark airport.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) released a budget reconciliation proposal Tuesday that would allocate $15 billion for the modernization of air traffic control technology.