Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently underscored the ongoing revitalization of U.S. manufacturing capabilities in light of a substantial aircraft acquisition deal between Boeing Co. and Alaska Air Group Inc. The announcement comes as part of broader efforts to bolster domestic industrial strength, particularly within the aviation sector.
In a social media post on the platform X, Duffy shared a video celebrating America’s manufacturing prowess. He stated, "American manufacturing is back," echoing sentiments that the U.S. is regaining its competitive edge in critical industries. Duffy attributed this renaissance not only to achievements in aviation but also highlighted similar developments in the automotive field.
He referred to this period as "The Golden Age of Travel," emphasizing that the United States is producing some of the world’s finest products locally. According to Duffy, this phase signals a return to prioritizing domestic production, a point he reinforced by invoking a recent transaction between Boeing, headquartered in Seattle, and Alaska Air.
The aircraft purchase agreement between the two corporations represents a significant commitment. Alaska Air has agreed to procure over 105 units of Boeing's 737-10 jets, marking the largest variant in the 737 MAX lineup. Additionally, the airline has arranged to acquire more than five Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. This deal is indicative of Alaska Air's strong confidence in Boeing’s manufacturing capabilities.
From Duffy’s perspective, the transaction is a manifestation of mutual trust, as he remarked on the assurance Alaska Air places in Boeing. He also noted confidence shared by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in Alaska Air as an operator, framing the deal as a symbol of robust industry and government collaboration.
Alongside highlighting manufacturing successes, Duffy also outlined progress made in upgrading the nation’s Air Traffic Control (ATC) system. He pointed out that the DOT has commenced replacing traditional copper wire infrastructure with modern fiber optic cables within approximately one-third of the ATC communication network. This enhancement is expected to improve operational efficiency significantly.
Duffy had previously discussed fiscal aspects related to ATC modernization. He claimed that President Donald Trump contributed to saving $200 million through contract adjustments with Peraton, a national security company enlisted as the DOT’s project manager for ATC infrastructure improvements. Despite these savings, Duffy mentioned that the ATC system's modernization still requires an additional $19 billion in funding to complete enhancements and new deployments.
Overall, these developments in both aircraft procurement and infrastructure modernization form part of a concerted effort by the U.S. government and private sector to renew the country’s leadership in aviation technology and manufacturing.