Sequestered 2.0

Last month in this space, I discussed the FAA’s plans to close scores of control towers around the country as part of its reaction to ongoing, manufactured federal budget crises. On April 5, two days before the first round of tower closures was scheduled and as this issue was being finalized, the FAA suddenly announced it would “delay the closures of all 149 federal contract air traffic control towers until June 15.”

Key Takeaways:

• The FAA unexpectedly delayed the closure of 149 federal contract air traffic control towers until June 15 to address legal challenges and transition logistics.
• This delay followed revelations that the FAA's justification for closures relied on outdated, 30-year-old aircraft collision data, which the agency acknowledged needed updating.
• The author argues that while the safety necessity of all towers is debatable, the broader issue is that these funding cuts risk the efficient and orderly flow of air traffic and hinder overall economic productivity.

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