FAA Control Towers to Remain Open in Fiscal 2013

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced Friday that the recently enacted “Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013” will allow the Federal Aviation Administration to transfer sufficient funds, end employee furloughs, and prevent the closure of 149 federal contract air-traffic control towers.

On April 26, Congress passed the act exempting the FAA from making across-the-board budget cuts, which are currently required by sequestration. President Obama signed the legislation May 1.

The FAA proposed closing the contract air-traffic control towers, including 14 in Florida — the largest number of facilities affected in one state — as part of $637 million in budget cuts under sequestration.

The closures would not have shut down smaller airport operations but could have affected the ability of some pilots to use non-controlled facilities.

The current federal funding will allow the towers to remain staffed and open through fiscal 2013.

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Transportation industry Florida
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