Monday, March 04, 2013

FAA prepares to close air-traffic control towers, many serving rural areas

The Federal Aviation Administration has said it might close 100 air-traffic control towers April 1 because of the across-the-board budget cuts required by the "sequester" law that took effect March 1. Most would be at small airports serving rural areas; some are at general-aviation airports.

Airports and their allies say the towers are needed for safety, or even to maintain their scant airline service, but Stephanie McCrrummen of The Washington Post took a flight to Garden City, Kan., and found travelers unconcerned. But a traffic-control manager warned her that pilots, who have more responsibility when there is no tower, can mess up. (Read more)

No comments: