Upgrade this: US air traffic system

US airlines are slowly recovering from 9-11, but there’s a pressing need for upgrading the nation’s air traffic system, said Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta quoted in USA TODAY. “The bad news is that our system is again beginning to show signs of stress,” he said of the airline business. In the wake of lingering congestion at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, two airlines – American and United – agreed last month to reduce their flights by 5% during peak periods to reduce gridlock. But Mr Mineta said that was only a limited solution. The airlines recovery could be threatened unless long-term answers can be found for congestion, he said. “Chicago is a warning,” he said in a speech. He urged more new runaways be built, and that new technology be utilized to help reduce the looming gridlock situation.