Central Illinois Airport & Others Sue FAA Over Tower Closure

By Amy Cavanaugh in News on Mar 30, 2013 9:00PM

Last week, the FAA announced that it would be shutting down control towers at airports across the country due to budget cuts and leaving pilots to coordinate takeoffs and landings themselves. There are 149 towers affected, including at five Illinois airports.

Yesterday, the AP reported that some of the affected airports are suing the FAA and arguing that "the agency has violated a federal law meant to ensure major changes at airports do not erode safety." One of the airports involved is the Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington, which is joining a single suit with Spokane International Airport in Spokane, Washington and three airports in Florida. Central Illinois airport director Carl Olson said they want the court to make the FAA look seriously at the potential safety implications.

The FAA is not commenting on pending litigation.