The initiative marks a significant shift in how the FAA handles air traffic, moving toward a unified platform that integrates predictive modeling and decision-support applications. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford noted that the software will provide controllers with data-driven insights to balance capacity and anticipate demand, with an initial operational deployment for the SMART program targeted for the fall of 2026.

ASI, which already provides flight-routing technology to major carriers including Delta, United, and Alaska Airlines, plans to scale its existing Flyways AI platform for government use. Unlike custom development projects that often face years of delays, the company asserts its software is already operational in high-consequence environments, including deployments with the U.S. Air Force and Indo-Pacific Command. This transition aims to improve system resiliency and reduce the frequency of flight delays for passengers across the United States.