Control towers at small airports to stay open through budget year

WASHINGTON — The Transportation Departments says 149 control towers at small airports that were slated for closure will remain open at least through Sept. 30.

The department sent out a brief statement Friday. It says Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has determined there is enough extra money, under a bill passed by Congress last month, to keep the towers open through the end of the budget year.

The towers are operated by contractors for the Federal Aviation Administration at low-traffic airports.

Towers at Fayetteville, Texarkana, Springdale, Fort Smith and Rogers were on the initial list of towers facing possible closure. Fayetteville and Texarkana remained on that list when a revised version was released in March.

The towers were scheduled to close June 15 as part of the FAA's plan to accommodate automatic spending cuts required by Congress.

NWA Media contributed to this story.

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