FAA: budget cuts would mean closure of nearly 400 control towers

During a hearing last Wednesday before the Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Billy Nolen, Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), emphasized the critical importance of maintaining the funding needed to keep the US aerospace system safe and efficient.

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Nolen’s remarks come as Congress considers a bill proposing to raise the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion, along with steep spending restrictions that would significantly impact the budgets of government agencies, including the FAA.

The Republican-driven bill was narrowly passed in the House of Representatives, but is not expected to advance in the Democratic-controlled Senate, or even be vetoed by Joe Biden.

«The FAA operates the safest and most efficient aerospace system in the world. But this has not come by accident. Simply put: Safety is not free,» Nolen stated, stressing the necessity for continuous, predictable, and robust funding. He cited the President’s budget request of $19.8 billion for the next fiscal year, along with the $5 billion provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to reduce the backlog of airport and air traffic projects, as vital for maintaining the FAA’s safety record.

The FAA’s official Twitter account supported Nolen’s message by detailing three specific issues that would be affected by the budget cuts: the suspension of new controller training, the closure of 375 control towers, and leaving two-thirds of US airspace without air traffic control services.

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The impacts of budget cuts to the FAA include:

✈️ New air traffic controller training SUSPENDED
✈️ 375 towers CLOSED
✈️ No air traffic control services for TWO-THIRDS of the national airspace

Read @FAA_Billy’s full remarks at https://t.co/2HUry2OqrR. pic.twitter.com/5TtMjXv70I

— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) April 26, 2023

Nolen highlighted the importance of this funding for two key areas of the FAA’s work: operation of the air traffic system and oversight of airlines, manufacturers, and crews. He outlined the budget request’s allocation of an additional $26.2 million for safety oversight, including funding for 53 new positions to complete the implementation of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act. This funding would also address recommendations from recent investigations and independent reviews following the Boeing 737 MAX accidents.

The Acting Administrator also underscored the importance of modernizing air traffic control equipment and facilities. He requested $510.8 million in the Facilities & Equipment account to improve air traffic control facilities, noting that the backlog of uncompleted renovations and repairs for facilities directly supporting operations amounts to $5.3 billion. Nolen mentioned that the average en route traffic center or combined control building is 61 years old, with over 50% of terminal radar control facilities being more than 40 years old.

Furthermore, Nolen expressed concern over the potential consequences of the proposed budget cuts. «This is not hyperbole: The budget cuts that have been considered by some would be raw, they would be deep, and they would be impactful to the flying public. Cuts will slow modernization of old systems, hobble our effort to train more controllers, and jeopardize our work to usher in the next era of aviation,» he warned.

Nolen concluded by assuring the committee that the FAA would be responsible stewards of the funding provided and expressed hope for their support. The FAA’s concerns reflect the agency’s commitment to maintaining the safety and efficiency of the US aerospace system in the face of potential budget cuts that could compromise these critical objectives.