Politics & Government
Sequestration Could Close Manassas Air Traffic Control Tower
The Manassas Regional Airport would remain open, but pilots would have to work among themselves to land or, work with other towers far away, the Washington Post reports.
The air traffic control tower at the Manassas Regional Airport is marked for closure by the Federal Aviation Administration if the government's sequestration takes place on Friday, the Washington Post reports.
The Manassas airport is on an FAA list of regional airports that would close due to the federal government's mass spending cuts. But government officials said it wouldn't happen until April at the earliest, according to the Washington Post.
If the tower does close, pilots would have to coordianate Manassas landings among themselves, land at a neighboring airport such as Dulles International, or communicate with air traffic control towers elsewhere.
Find out what's happening in Manassaswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Manassas Regional Airport Director Juan Rivera appeared before council Monday to present the airport's annual report, during which he told the body there was nothing he and staff could do until after they received a more certain answer about the tower's closing.
The potential closing comes on the heels of the completion of a runway extension.
Find out what's happening in Manassaswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Manassas lawmakers and business leaders cut the ribbon on the runway known as 16L-34R in November.
The runway is 6,200 feet long, meaning aircraft that take off and land at the airport have increased safety, especially in inclement weather.
The extended runway helps reduce noise for the surrounding area to the north. Additionally, most aircraft can maximize their take-off capabilities on the hottest summer days and when they are full of fuel.
Just a stone's throw away from the airport on Capital Circle, tenants of a building that's home to several government contractors are waiting with baited breath to see what happens at the Capitol by week's end, said TJ Hassan, of EMSI Engineers, one of the owners of the building.
Officials from that the uncertainty surrounding government spending cuts was the most disturbing part of the issue.
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