The FAA has released a three-part phase-in period for closing 149 of the nation’s contract control towers. The shutdowns will start on April 7, when 24 federal contract towers will close, followed by 46 on April 21, and the remaining 79 on May 5 (see the full list below).
The FAA says it is closing the towers based on activity levels, with the first to close having fewer than 1,000 commercial operations in fiscal year 2012, the second group fewer than 2,500 commercial operations and the third group more than that.
