Contract Towers to Remain Open

May 10, 2013 - The Department of Transportation announced today that the 149 contracted air traffic control towers previously slated for closure under sequestration will remain operational through September 30, 2013 - the end of fiscal year. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said that the recently passed Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013 enables the FAA to end air traffic controller furloughs and fund contract towers.

In addition to funding contract towers, the FAA will use money made available by the act to restore funding to NextGen research and airspace infrastructure support.