U.S. sequester could cost 170 small town airports their control towers
Skift Take
Losing a tower doesn’t guarantee airport closure, but it’s the equivalent of putting a prison ball on operations. These five Oregon airports are hoping their military operations keep them off the axe list.
Five small airports in Oregon are on the Federal Aviation Administration list for potential control tower closings under the automatic budget cuts that took effect March 1.
The FAA says they are among 238 small airports under consideration nationwide with low traffic volumes and control towers operated by contractors.
The FAA is to make a decision by March 18 on closing about 170 of them. A letter to airport managers from FAA officials said the decision would be based solely on the national interest, and will not take into account local community impacts. Even without sequestration, some towers may have to close, the letter added.
The Oregon airports are in Klamath Fall
