The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the U.S. government agency responsible for regulating civil aviation in the United States and surrounding international waters. Established in 1958 as the Federal Aviation Agency, it became part of the Department of Transportation in 1967 and was renamed the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA's powers include air traffic control, setting standards for airports, certifying personnel and aircraft, and safeguarding U.S. assets during commercial space vehicle launches and re-entries. The FAA also encourages and develops civil aeronautics, including new aviation technology.
In recent years, the FAA has been focused on integrating new technologies and addressing emerging challenges in aviation. A major reorganization was announced in January 2026 to better integrate uncrewed aircraft systems (drones) and advanced air mobility (AAM) into the national airspace. The FAA is working to modernize air traffic control through the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), transitioning from ground-based radar to satellite management technology. As of early 2026, FAA is working to prevent major flight delays during busy travel weekends and has announced strict 'No Drone Zones' for events like the Super Bowl.
