The biggest hurdle for air traffic control reform to overcome is the upgrading of transponder equipment in airplanes. Most airlines are cash strapped in these difficult financial times and would have difficulty upgrading to GPS equipment (which would cost approximately $4 billion dollars) if they have not already done so.
Other countries (e.g., Canada and Sweden) that have implemented similar air traffic control reforms have resorted to privatization of their new systems. Privatization of air traffic control makes the public nervous and gives the impression of a lack of control. In addition, privatization means job losses for a substantial number of government employees. This kind of a system also relies more on computers and less on individual air traffic controllers.
While not a deal breaker, air traffic control reform would render government-owned air traffic control towers obsolete. These buildings would need to be repurposed and could sit empty due to these reforms. Cities with airports and air traffic control towers would have a natural resistance to a reform that leaves buildings sitting empty and employees out of work.
