An air traffic control tower at an airport in Frederick, Md. is among the 149 contract towers set to be closed as the Federal Aviation Administration implements budget cuts under sequestration.The FAA is focusing its efforts at airports that have less than 150,000 takeoffs and landings per year and believes it could save up to $40 million by closing those towers, the Washington Post reports.
Lori Aratani writes Frederick Municipal Airport had about 130,000 flights in 2012 but airport officials estimated it would see 165,000 flights within eight years.
Kevin Daugherty, the airport’s manager, told the Post pilots will have to coordinate takeoffs and landings among themselves if the FAA closes the tower.
