Air control towers at some local airports will soon close
By: Josh Marcisz
Updated: March 22, 2013
The Federal Aviation Administration announced Friday that it will be shutting down the air traffic control tower at the Downtown Shreveport Airport and Texarkana Regional Airport on April 7.
The closings are 2 of 149 announced across the country, a result of spending cuts triggered by the sequester. The F-A-A is required to slash over $600 million from its budget by the fall.
Shreveport Downtown Airport Manager, Stacy Kuba, says operations will continue at the airport but pilots will be required to keep proper spacing in the air and on the ground. Kuba says they will continue to fight the decision until April 7th. "We pulled together as a team out here at the downtown airport, management, staff and also with the tenants. We are going to continue to fight until there's no options left."
The Shreveport Downtown Airport's six air traffic controllers will be laid-off on April 7th.
