AIRPORT TOWER TURMOIL Tri-State Airport Could Lose Tower In Budget Cuts
Reported by: Dave Benton
Videographer: Kenney Barnette
Web Producer: Dave Benton
Reported: Feb. 26, 2013 9:08 PM EST
Updated: Feb. 27, 2013 9:18 AM EST
EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
Kenova
, Wayne County
, West Virginia
Proposed federal cuts could have trickle down effects on West Virginia. The looming sequestration could close the tower at Tri-State Airport. If the tower closes, airport director Jerry Brienza says that would not affect the business at the airport. "The airport would remain open for business, with or without local air traffic control tower representation."
Brienza says the airspace would be controlled by a larger FAA radar facility, such as Indianapolis.
Yeager Airport in Charleston could lose overnight controllers from midnight until 6:00 AM. Yeager's Director Rick Atkinson says that would create temporary problems. "You just can't flip a switch with this notice and say o.k. we can do it. It can be done, but safely and in compliance with regulation it takes time."
Senator Joe Manchin says leaders in Congress could've avoided the problem the country faces Friday. "About every agency across the board with the way this thing is going it's very draconian, it's horrible. This could be all avoided if we would do an overhaul of our tax system, which we talked about the Bowle Simpson approach which I supported. But, our leaders have failed to come together on this, so they continue to fight every two to three months."
Manchin says he plans to introduce a piece of legislation that would spare the airports and look at other waste in government that could be cut.
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Dave Benton
