Air Traffic Control at Albert Whitted Airport Could Be Shut Down by Sequester

The air traffic control tower at Albert Whitted Airport could be shut down as a result of the $85 billion in automatic federal spending cuts that could kick in if a deal isn't reached in Washington by March 1.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said last week it is considering cutting $600 million in expenses to prepare for the potential slashing of government funding as part of the sequester. Among the changes being considered: closing more than 100 air traffic control facilities, including the one at Albert Whitted.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said in a Feb. 22 letter the agency would target air traffic control towers at airports with fewer than 150,000 flight operations or 10,000 commercial operations per year. The city-owned and operated Albert Whitted Airport handles about 85,000 flights annually, according to its website.

The FAA is also considering furloughs for most of its 47,000 employees, the elimination of overnight shifts at more than 60 airports and reducing preventative maintenance and support for all air traffic control equipment.

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