FAA Backs Away from Eliminating Overnight Shifts at 72 ATC Facilities

“The FAA has decided not to pursue the elimination of midnight shifts at FAA towers at this time,” a spokesman for the agency told AIN today. As part of sequester-mandated cuts announced in late February, the FAA had planned to eliminate overnight shifts at 72 air traffic control facilities, including those at Chicago Midway Airport. On April 26, Congress gave the FAA the authority to shift funds to stop controller furloughs and, possibly, contract tower closures. “There is no additional information on contract tower closings at this time,” the spokesman said.