Toledo Express to keep overnight air traffic control
5/8/2013WASHINGTON -- The Federal Aviation Administration said today that it would to reverse its plan to eliminate overnight air traffic control services at 72 facilities, including the Toledo Express Airport.
U.S. Rep Bob Latta (R., Bowling Green) lauded the decision.
“This morning’s announcement from the FAA to fully keep air traffic control services open at Toledo Express is good news for Toledo and the surrounding community," Mr. Latta said. "Maintaining full operating services at Toledo Express is important from a national security and safety standpoint as well as an economic standpoint for the businesses that depend upon the services provided by the tower at all times.”
The congressman had sent a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta urging the FAA to maintain the midnight shift at the airport.
The FAA in March listed 149 airports in three dozen states for which it intended to eliminate tower operations provided by contractors. Those targeted towers all have fewer than 150,000 takeoffs and landings or 10,000 commercial flights a year.
Sequestration’s across-the-board cuts of $85 billion started at the beginning of March. The FAA is to absorb $637 million in cuts by Sept. 30.