FAA budget cuts because of sequestration could close some North Texas air traffic control facilities

The Federal Aviation Administration said it may have to close several air traffic control facilities in North Texas if budget sequestration cuts are implemented on March 1.

The agency said it is considering furloughing 47,000 employees for one day per pay period, closing over 100 air traffic control facilities and eliminating overnight shifts at 60 facilities nationwide. The cost cutting measures will total $600 million for the remainder of its fiscal year.

"We are aware that these service reductions will adversely affect commercial, corporate and general aviation operators," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in a letter to industry officials. "We also expect that as airlines estimate the potential impacts of these furloughs, they will change their schedules and cancel flights."

In North Texas, the FAA proposes eliminating its overnight shift at Fort Worth's Meacham airport air traffic control tower. The agency also suggests closing air traffic control towers at Fort Worth Spinks, Arlington Municipal, Grand Prairie Municipal, Dallas Executive and Collin County Regional in McKinney.

The furloughs and facility shutdowns are expected to begin in April, the agency said.

-Andrea Ahles

 

Comments

[Mike Pippen]

No chance that will happen anny time soon.
It's all scare tactics by the curent administration.
The 2013 budget expects to be $15 BILLION MORE this year than the past 2012 budget.

[TiredOFPanderingANDREA]

Hey, ANDREA. How about some words in SKY TALK about the grounding of ALL F-35's?? Maybe Lockheed doesn't contribute to your retirement fund like HORTON HEARS A WHO does. Or maybe they do.

When is the Startlegram going to put on its big-boy pants and start reporting on something of National significance? Belo outshines McClatchey in every aspect.

[john hawkins]

Frankly I think closing control towers will reduce traffic congestion.
Of course that assume everyone remembers how to enter a pattern and exercises politeness

[Frank]

Until recent years, these airports all operated wihout control towers. They will be fine without them again. We simply can't continue to borrow forty cents of every dollar we spend, and if fixing that problem means less trafficked airports do without controllers, so be it.

[whitey]

close those airports.who wants to go to a texas hillbilly airport out in klan country.

[debt do us part]

Of course that assume everyone remembers how to enter a pattern and exercises politeness

[DB]

Do not worry about closing towers, worry about when the FAA safety Inspectors had to stop doing their jobs. Have a safe flight if you can.