SpaceX engineers will visit the Air Traffic Control System Command Center in Virginia on Monday as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to modernize the nation’s air travel infrastructure, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced in a social media post on Sunday.

Duffy, who was appointed by President Donald Trump to oversee the Department of Transportation, stated that the administration is committed to building a world-class air traffic control system.

“America deserves safe, state-of-the-art air travel, and President Trump has ordered that I deliver a new, world-class air traffic control system that will be the envy of the world,” Duffy wrote on X. He invited contributions from American developers and companies willing to assist in the effort.

“To do that, I need advice from the brightest minds in America. I’m asking for help from any high-tech American developer or company that is willing to give back to our country,” he added.

Duffy noted that SpaceX engineers, part of Elon Musk’s team, would tour the command center to examine the current system, receive feedback from air traffic controllers, and assess areas for improvement.

“Tomorrow, members of @elonmusk’s SpaceX team will be visiting the Air Traffic Control System Command Center in VA to get a firsthand look at the current system, learn what air traffic controllers like and dislike about their current tools, and envision how we can make a new, better, modern, and safer system.”

In his post, Duffy also preemptively addressed criticism, particularly from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, with whom he recently sparred on social media.

“Because I know the media (and Hillary Clinton) will claim Elon’s team is getting special access, let me make clear that the @FAANews regularly gives tours of the command center to both media and companies.”

The spat between DOT Secretary Sean Duffy and whomever is running Hillary Clinton’s account is sending me to the moon pic.twitter.com/S8QUqn9eco

— Shipwreck (@shipwreckshow) February 6, 2025

Duffy also announced that he will be visiting the FAA Academy in Oklahoma later in the week to meet with air traffic controller instructors and students.

“Later in the week, I will travel to the FAA Academy in Oklahoma to meet with air traffic controller instructors and students to learn more about their education and how we can ensure that only the very best guide our aircrafts,” he stated.

Duffy encouraged additional private-sector involvement in the initiative, stating that his office welcomes collaboration with American companies that want to help reshape the country’s air travel system.

“My door at @USDOT is open to any and all patriotic developers or companies who want to help our country in this incredible, game-changing mission. I hope to hear from any company committed to ushering in America’s golden age of travel!”

America deserves safe, state-of-the-art air travel, and President Trump has ordered that I deliver a new, world-class air traffic control system that will be the envy of the world.

To do that, I need advice from the brightest minds in America.

I’m asking for help from any…

— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) February 17, 2025

President Trump has enlisted Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal initiative focused on identifying and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse within government agencies.

Musk responded to Duffy’s announcement by emphasizing that air travel safety is a universal concern.

“The safety of air travel is a non-partisan matter. SpaceX engineers will help make air travel safer,” Musk wrote on X.

The safety of air travel is a non-partisan matter. SpaceX engineers will help make air travel safer.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 17, 2025

Earlier this month, Duffy and Clinton engaged in a heated exchange on social media after he revealed that the DOGE team would be involved in efforts to upgrade the country’s aviation system.

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