Next Generation Air Transportation  System or NextGen, is a new system that uses modern technology and a satellite system that allows aircraft to travel more directly between two points. This new system has the benefit of allowing passengers to get to their destinations faster, and it helps airlines operate much more efficiently. This system allows controllers to track up to 1900 flights, instead of 1100 under the old system ("NextGen Works").

The General Aviation community has spoken against ATC privatization because it requires user fees to access, and that it will eventually restrict access for private pilots when they fly. The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is one association that opposes ATC privatization. On the flip side, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association is a proponent of ATC privatization. The Association feels that the current system cannot simply keep up with the demand (Wood 2016).  The majority of U.S carriers (with the exception of Delta) want privatization of ATC because they feel that the FAA cannot complete modernization of ATC ( Bachman 2016).

Two major countries that have privatized ATC which are Canada and Britain ("Don't Privatize Air Traffic Control", 2016). In Canada, ATC is operated by a private company called Nav Canada ("Our Services"). In Britain, ATC is provided by NATS ("Air Traffic Control").

The process for privatizing ATC is very bureaucratic. A bill has to be introduced and approved by the house of representatives and the senate to make it official. Recently, a bill that was introduced by two representatives (Bill Shuster, Pennsylvania and Frank Lobiondo,  New Jersey) was voted out ("Don't Privatize Air Traffic Control", 2016). 

I currently have no preference for whether ATC should be privatized or not; I feel that each side has its own benefits and harms. Privatization would be more efficient for air carriers but it could also be harmful for General Aviation. Both are important industries, and a middle ground should be reached that benefits both sides. 

References:

NextGen Works. Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved From:   https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/works/

Wood, Janice. Ga Raises Concerns. (2016, February 17).  General Aviation News. Retrieved From: http://generalaviationnews.com/2016/02/17/ga-raises-concerns-over-proposal-to-privatize-atc/

Don't Privatize Air Traffic Control.  (2016, February 15). New York Times. Retrieved From : https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/15/opinion/dont-privatize-air-traffic-control.html

Our Services. Nav Canada. Retrieved From: http://www.navcanada.ca/EN/about-us/Pages/what-we-do-atc.aspx

Air Traffic Control. NATS. Retrieved From: http://www.nats.aero/about-us/what-we-do/atc-explained/