Atlanta airport swaps paper flight strips for digital system

Air traffic controllers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport began using electronic flight strips this week. The digital system replaces the paper slips that workers have used for decades to track arriving and departing planes.

The Federal Aviation Administration introduced the change to improve safety and efficiency at the busiest airport in the world. The new software provides real-time flight information. It automatically alerts staff to operational changes, such as runway closures, and helps controllers respond faster to shifting weather patterns.

Under the previous paper-based method, controllers had to physically move and update strips to organize their workload. This often required them to look down away from the radar and the sky. An FAA representative said the electronic system reduces that distraction by allowing digital updates while controllers keep their focus on active aircraft.

Hartsfield-Jackson is now the 26th airport to transition to this technology. The agency states the upgrade is designed to help staff identify potential problems early and coordinate better with other airport groups. The move is part of a wider effort to modernize air traffic control operations while maintaining safety standards at major aviation hubs.

The rollout marks a shift in how one of the nation's busiest hubs manages daily traffic. Controllers can now update flight data without breaking their line of sight. The system aims to streamline the flow of information between different operational teams.