Air traffic control towers have been in the headlines this year, likely more than anyone (both in the industry and travelers alike) would have wanted them to be. A tragic accident in understaffed air traffic control areas near Reagan National Airport (DCA) and a series of dangerous air traffic control blackouts at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) have been quick to concern everyone with a love for commercial aviation. Maintaining safe air traffic control management systems has been a critical catalyst for the continued growth of the commercial aviation industry. With continued bullish growth on the horizon, weak air traffic control systems could be a key hurdle holding the industry back.