"Tower Closure Proposal: Airport Officials Plead Case To FAA"

Monday, July 11, 2005

Airport Officials Plead Case To FAA 
By Mike Doria
WHAM-TV Ch 13 (ABC), Rochester (NY)


Rochester, NY -- As a way to save money, the FAA wants to cut hours at 45
air traffic control towers across the country. Besides safety issues,
officials at the Greater Rochester International Airport now have another
reason why their tower should not be among them.  

Closing the tower between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. could cut into
commerce and the cargo flights coming into the airport. Buffalo's airport
tower is not being considered for closure and Monroe County fears if
Rochester's goes dark for those hours, the cargo companies will do more
business with their neighbor to the west.

The FAA would save roughly $6 million by closing the selected towers
overnight. Monroe County has sent a letter to the government hoping to have
Rochester's  airport taken off the list.

Along with the commerce issue, the letter points out safety concerns without
someone in the tower to guide in late flights. Also, fewer hours would cut
into snow removal done overnight at the airport. No one is allowed onto the
tarmac unless the tower is staffed, which is a Monroe County rule, not an
FAA regulation.

The FAA is also trying to cut hours to deal with a shortage of air traffic
controllers. A decision is expected next month, or perhaps in September.

Watch the Video:
 http://www.13wham.com/mediacenter/?Videoid=149912


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