The nation's air traffic control system is obsolete and understaffed, which significantly degrades safety, aviation industry experts told the House Aviation Subcommittee Tuesday morning.

Industry officials testified to Congress about the air traffic controller shortage and technology shortfalls. Elon Musk and DOGE, however, became contentious flash points. Aviation industry officials urged Congress to modernize the air traffic control system and address workforce shortages.

Aviation industry and labor groups pushed for faster upgrades to U.S. air traffic control systems and hiring. The testimony before a House committee hearing on air traffic control comes about a month after the deadliest U.S. air disaster since 2001.