Summary
The FAA is reportedly set to cancel a $2.4 billion contract with Verizon to modernize air traffic control communications and instead award it to Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Musk has publicly criticized Verizon’s system as failing, though without evidence. SpaceX employees have been embedded within the FAA, and some now have agency email addresses.
The move raises concerns about favoritism and conflicts of interest, especially as Musk’s companies have received $38 billion in government funding.
The contract transfer has not followed standard procedures, prompting resistance from senior FAA officials.
“This is your captain speaking. I’m afraid we’re going to be a little bit delayed here because we’ve lost connection to the Starlink satellites that provide our communication. We’ll be pushing back from the gate just as soon as the weather clears a bit.”
“We’ll be cleared to land just as soon as our check clears.”