US airline groups seek US$4 billion in aid A broad coalition of US airline and aerospace industry trade groups is reportedly seeking a US$4 billion slice of the economic stimulus package being mulled over by the incoming Obama administration, Dow Jones reported. The funds would be used to kick-start modernisation of the country’s antiquated air traffic control system through equipping aircraft with satellite-based navigation technology. The plan is outlined in a letter to government officials obtained by Dow Jones Newswire and backed by groups including the Air Transport Association, which represents commercial airlines, and the National Business Aviation Association. In the proposal, about half the money would be used for a system known as Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B). The technology allows aircraft to broadcast their locations to air traffic controllers and other planes. It is viewed as far more efficient than the current ground-based system where pilots rely on communication with control towers. Over as much as 25 years, that’s expected to result in better fuel efficiency for airlines, cutting costs and harmful emissions. A modern ATC system would also improve safety and security, argued the groups, and significantly reduce flight delays even as air traffic grows.