WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) decision to continue the Federal Aviation Administration Contract Tower (FCT) Program at the Kinston Regional Jetport at Stallings Field (ISO) and Coastal Carolina Regional (EWN) Airport through the remainder of fiscal year 2013, ending the threat of closures and employee furloughs.
Butterfield said, “I applaud the DOT’s decision to continue the FAA Contract Tower Program at the Kinston Regional Jetport, the Coastal Carolina Regional Airport, and the other 147 contract control towers nationwide—all of which were scheduled for closure due to sequestration. These control towers are critical components of our economy and national security. I am pleased that government leaders were able to work together to ensure the continuation of jobs and our safety.”
After last week’s passage of the Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013, Butterfield joined 82 of his congressional colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to Transportation Secretary LaHood urging him to use the authority given in the Act to ensure the safety of our nation’s air transportation system by preventing the closure of the air traffic control towers.
The FCT program staffs air traffic control towers with contractors instead of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees, which help to manage air traffic control and increase air safety. If the FCT program is cancelled, the affected airports would remain functional despite the tower being unstaffed. Should this occur, aircrafts would have to audibly communicate with towers that are offsite until they are within five miles of landing. At which time, they would switch to communications with on-the-ground employees who have visual sight of the runway.
Earlier this year, both the Kingston Regional Jetport and the Coastal Carolina Regional Airport were notified by the FAA that they are among roughly 150 FCTs slated for closure in June due to the sequester. In March, Butterfield wrote a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta asking him to reconsider based on military and businesses using both airports.
Last month, Butterfield welcomed Secretary LaHood to Goldsboro, NC to visit the progress of three major transportation projects currently underway. Goldsboro’s revitalization spotlighted the unique transportation needs of rural communities.