BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — (CNN) The federal government will close 173 air traffic control towers at small -and medium-size airports on April 7 including the one at W.K. Kellogg in Battle Creek because of forced spending cuts, the Federal Aviation Administration told tower operators Tuesday. It will close another 16 towers on September 30, the end of the fiscal year.
Larry Bowron, Transportation Director at W.K. Kellogg airport told Fox 17 that The closure of the tower should be considered a safety issue, and people should be outraged.”We can’t do what we do at the same level without a tower.”
Bowron said the FAA made its decision based on lack of passengers compared to other regional airports.
The news Tuesday, if anything, was worse than previously announced. Last Wednesday, the FAA said it would close 168 towers.
The closures in Battle Creek will happen sometime in April.
FOX 17 is working on this story and will bring you more information as it becomes available.
