The Federal Aviation Administration announced today that the closures of 149 air traffic control towers will be delayed until June 15th.
"This has been a complex process and we need to get this right," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
Citing ongoing legal challenges from several airports, the FAA said it must also consult with airports and operators to review risk assessments, and ensure air travel safety before the closures.
In our area, four small airports are affected -- Capital City Airport in Harrisburg, Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe, Lancaster Airport in Lancaster and in New Jersey, the Trenton-Mercer airport in Ewing.
"Safety is our top priority. We will use this additional time to make sure communities and pilots understand the changes at their local airports."
Nearly 50 airport authorities and stakeholders will fund some of the airport towers on their own as a part of the FAA’s non-Federal Contract Tower Program.
The FAA announced the closures last month as a part of $637 million budget cuts due to the budget impasse in Washington, D.C.
