The plan calls for six new air traffic control centres, along with an array of technology and communications upgrades over the next three or four years.

More than a dozen airport towers would be revamped, and the agency’s telecommunications network would be replaced with new fiber, wireless and satellite systems over the next three years.

The transportation secretary announced a far-reaching plan to drastically overhaul the current technology used by thousands of controllers responsible for guiding planes in and out of airports.

Plans for a new air traffic control system were announced Thursday by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy amid a spotlight on ...