Thu, Sep 20, 2007
Locals Unconvinced By FAA's Arguments
Those concerned with the FAA's plans to close the Southeast
Texas Regional Airport Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON)
facility and move those operations to Houston are breathing a bit
easier this week, after the FAA suspended the move Tuesday.
The FAA announced in January plans to consolidate almost 50
TRACONs in more than 30 states, reports the Port Arthur (TX) News.
Legislators whose districts would be affected by the closures
opposed the move, saying consolidating facilities would compromise
safety.
Congressman Ted Poe says it appears the FAA listened to
lawmakers' concerns this time around... as opposed to past efforts,
such as an amendment approved by Congress in 2006
to prevent the FAA from further consolidation of air traffic
control functions for Palm Beach International. The FAA moved the
facility anyway.
"I am glad the FAA listened to our concerns and decided to
postpone phase 1 of the consolidation, which would have moved
Beaumont'’s airspace to Houston Intercontinental Airport on
the midnight shift September 27," said Poe, who worked to stop the
consolidation along with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.
As of now, the Beaumont facility (BMT) is open from 0600 to
2200. Houston Center operates the Beaumont approach overnight. The
consolidation plan called for Houston to assume all BMT operations
by October 2008.
The consolidation would affect five airports throughout
southeast Texas, including Beaumont Municipal.
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