Kissimmee Airport Keeps Tower in Sequester Cuts
Friday, March 22, 2013
By: Matthew Peddie

March 22, 2013 | WMFE- The Federal Aviation Administration says it will close 149 control towers at smaller airports across the country- including 14 in Florida. Kissimmee Gateway Airport's tower, however, will stay open.

[Photo: US Congressman Alan Grayson Speaking at a Press Conference at Kissimmee Gateway Airport in March]

The closures due to spending cuts known as sequestration are due to take effect in April.

Control towers that will lose their FAA contracts in Florida include New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport, Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Leesburg International Airport, Ocala International Airport, Ormond Beach Municipal Airport and Space Coast Regional Airport.

Forty towers on the original list of 189 slated for possible closure will stay open- including Kissimmee Gateway Airport.

US Congressman Alan Grayson, who wrote to the FAA and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood urging them to keep the airport open, said he's extremely pleased Kissimmee Gateway has been spared.