US Federal Aviation Administration launches SMART artificial intelligence system to predict flight delays in Washington, D.C. airspace

On Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States launched a new artificial intelligence system called SMART in the airspace around Washington, D.C. The system, which stands for Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes and Trajectories, is designed to predict flight delays before they begin by analyzing 200 data streams, including weather, schedules, and airspace conditions. It will operate as a 90-day pilot covering Reagan National, Dulles, and Baltimore/Washington International airports before wider deployment. The FAA expects SMART to reduce delays, lower fuel use, and improve air traffic management, while emphasizing that it will not replace air traffic controllers.