FAA could close 6 airport control towers in Mich.

Federal budget cuts could force 6 Michigan airport control towers to close

Published On: Mar 10 2013 01:58:20 PM EDT
Traveling
DETROIT -

Six air traffic control towers in Michigan are among 238 scheduled to close nationwide in early April as the Federal Aviation Administration shuts off funding for those services.

The shutdowns are part of the FAA's move to reduce spending by $600 million under automatic federal budget cuts.

They affect mostly small- and medium-size airports.

Michigan airports on the list are Ann Arbor, W.K. Kellogg in Battle Creek, Coleman A. Young in Detroit, Jackson County-Reynolds Field in Jackson, Muskegon County and Sawyer International in Marquette County.

The Lansing and Willow Run airport towers are among 72 nationwide that could close overnight through eliminating midnight shifts.

Some airports are pressing their cases to preserve those services.

Officials at several say they expect to remain open but raise concerns about safety and efficiency.

  • Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.