The leaders of nine aviation groups recently sent a letter to Senate and House Appropriations Committees’ leaders on the vital role that contract air traffic control towers play in improving safety and saving taxpayers approximately $200 million annually.
The letter also urged language be included in the fiscal year 2020 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) appropriations bill that would fully fund the Contract Tower Program at $170 million.
“The FAA Contract Tower Program has provided cost-effective and essential air traffic safety services for over three decades. Currently, 256 smaller airports in 46 states participate in the program,” J. Spencer Dickerson, U.S. Contract Tower Association executive director, said. “Together these 256 towers handle approximately 28 percent of all air traffic control tower (ATCT) aircraft operations in the U.S. but only account for about 14 percent of FAA’s overall budget allotted to ATCT tower operations and save FAA and taxpayers approximately $200 million per year.”
The letter listed the benefits of the program, which included helping airports retain and develop commercial air service and general aviation, and connecting smaller and rural airports to the national air transportation system.
The letter also was sent to the Senate and House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Subcommittees.