The pending closure of the control tower is due to required budget cuts do to the sequester. Legislation introduced by Nelson would prohibit the FAA from suspending or terminating the operation of any air control tower during the 2013 or 2014 fiscal year. Nelson was in Jacksonville on Friday to meet with regional airport officials.
St. Augustine’s Northeast Florida Regional Airport Director Ed Wueller says closing the control tower would be a dangerous move.
The St. Augustine airport is the busiest in Northeast Florida on track to see 150,000 takeoffs and landings this year.Wuellner says closing the air traffic control tower would be similar to removing the traffic signal from the busiest intersection in town and replacing it with a four-way stop.
Nelson’s bill could be heard at a Commerce Committee hearing on April 16th.