Closure Of Ohio State University Air Traffic Control Tower Delayed, Despite Sequestration

By Ryan Matsunaga (staff@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Apr 17, 2013 01:41 PM EDT

After some back and forth on the issue, the Ohio State University airport will be keeping its air traffic control tower for a little while longer. The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Association (FAA) has announced that it will delay its planned funding cuts for air traffic control towers at 149 airports across the country, including the one at Ohio State.

Back in March, the FAA had stated that it would begin a four-week plan to phase out air traffic control tower funding beginning on April 7. This came as a result of the $637 million sequestration budget cut.

According to the new plan, the administration will now wait until June 15 to cut funding, in an effort to give the FAA and airports more time to prepare for the closures.

"This has been a complex process and we need to get this right," said U.S. Transportation secretary Ray LaHood in a statement. "Safety is our top priority. We will use this additional time to make sure communities and pilots understand the changes at their local airports."

Officials have previously stated their concerns that this closure may effect air safety, due to its role in maintaining take-off, landing, and ground operations for about 70,000 operations each year, including those involving students in the university's aviation program.

Ohio State University's air traffic control tower reportedly costs around $650,000 to operate annually.

Jennifer Cowley , the school's associate dean of academic affairs and administration, has stated that the air traffic control tower is an important part of the school's aviation program. The university is currently exploring the option to keep the tower operational through private funding, while working with the FAA to try and keep the tower open after the June budget cuts.

"At this point in time, we are focusing our efforts on convincing the FAA to keep our tower open," Cowley said. "We are currently awaiting a response from the FAA on our request."