A trade association representing major defense contractors is projecting mass layoffs of air traffic controllers and closings of control towers if sequestration takes effect, Federal Times reports.The Aerospace Industries Association published its study Monday, predicting closure of 240 airport control towers as well as layoffs of 1,500 air traffic controllers , close to 10 percent of the total ATC workfoce.
Close to 12,000 customs inspectors and Transportation Security Administration screeners could also lose their jobs, Sean Reilly reports.
Those reductions translate to a 5 percent to 10 percent drop in passenger and freight traffic and losses of between 11,000 and 22,000 jobs in the aircraft manufacturing workforce, according to Reilly.
The AIA predicts more than 109,000 jobs may be lost next year if sequestration occurs, with the FAA poised to receive a $1 billion funding cut.
Reilly reports the FAA has not yet issued a statement on potential effects of sequestration on it and directs all queries about the topic to the Office of Management and Budget.
