Massachusetts Delegation Urges FAA to Reconsider Air Traffic Control Tower Closures
Washington, DC,
April 1, 2013
Tags:
Worcester
Led by Congressman Stephen F. Lynch, the Massachusetts Delegation today expressed concern with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) planned closure of approximately 200 contract air traffic control (ATC) towers nationwide due to the sequestration budget cuts.
Wednesday March 20, 2013 Lynch, Massachusetts Delegation Urge FAA to Reconsider Air Traffic Control Tower Closures Led by Congressman Stephen F. Lynch, the Massachusetts Delegation today expressed concern with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) planned closure of approximately 200 contract air traffic control (ATC) towers nationwide due to the sequestration budget cuts. Six of the towers slated for possible closure service Massachusetts airports: Norwood, New Bedford, Lawrence, Beverly, Worcester and Westfield-Barnes. Collectively, these six towers handle hundreds of thousands of operations annually, accommodating commercial, private, medical and military aircraft and flight services. In a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, the members wrote, "We agree on the need to identify means through which to improve our current fiscal situation. But any such effort should not jeopardize the safety, security and economic well-being of our citizens. These six ATC towers and others around the country are critical to the continued successful operation of their respective airports and to the regions they serve, and vital to our national interests." The full text of the letter can be found below: March 20, 2013 Michael P. Huerta Administrator Federal Aviation Administration RE: DOT/FAA Announcement to Close ATC Contract Towers Dear Administrator Huerta: We are writing to express our concern regarding the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) announcement to close a number of contract air traffic control (ATC) towers due to the federal budget sequestration. As you probably know, six of those towers service Massachusetts airports; Norwood, New Bedford, Lawrence, Beverly, Worcester and Westfield-Barnes. These regional airports and their ATC towers are key elements in the national air transportation system and critical to our national security. Closing the ATC towers will jeopardize the safety of the flying public as well as that of residents within a certain proximity to these airports, have a negative impact on regional economies and threaten our military readiness. The six airports in Massachusetts accommodate a significant mix of commercial, medical, private and military aircraft and flight services; three of the six reside within the Class B controlled airspace of Logan International Airport and serve as critical reliever-category airports. The ATC tower operations allow for safe arrivals and departures, prevent mid-air collisions, and maintain the safety and efficiency of our national airspace system through critical flight training programs. Combined, the six towers manage hundreds of thousands of operations annually. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board place high importance on implementing Safety Management Systems (SMS). We believe that cutting the Federal Contract Tower program and closing these ATC towers is contrary to a safety-first approach. In addition, over the past three decades, the Federal Contract Tower program has represented one of the agency's most cost-effective safety initiatives. Quite frankly, this decision by the FAA appears to make neither fiscal nor operational sense. We agree on the need to identify means through which to improve our current fiscal situation. But any such effort should not jeopardize the safety, security and economic well-being of our citizens. These six ATC towers and others around the country are critical to the continued successful operation of their respective airports and to the regions they serve, and vital to our national interests. The Federal Contract Tower program's cost effectiveness and flight safety enhancements are a proven success. At the very least a safety risk assessment should be conducted at each individual facility prior to any final decision regarding ATC tower closings. We strongly urge you to carefully consider the critical importance of the Federal Contract Tower program before taking final action on closing any air traffic control towers. Sincerely, __________________________ __________________________ STEPHEN F. LYNCH EDWARD J. MARKEY Member of Congress Member of Congress __________________________ __________________________ RICHARD E. NEAL JAMES P. McGOVERN Member of Congress Member of Congress __________________________ __________________________ JOHN F. TIERNEY MICHAEL E. CAPUANO Member of Congress Member of Congress __________________________ __________________________ NIKI TSONGAS WILLIAM R. KEATING Member of Congress Member of Congress _________________________ JOSEPH P. KENNEDY III Member of Congress __________________________ __________________________ ELIZABETH WARREN WILLIAM M. COWAN United States Senator United States Senator |
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