The air traffic control tower at Trenton-Mercer Airport was spared from the chopping block for another year after federal funding was approved this week, county officials announced.
The money was included in the Federal Aviation Administration’s $154.4 million contract tower program that was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee Tuesday.
“Mercer County is appreciative of the congressional leaders who continue to recognize the vital significance of airports like Trenton-Mercer Airport and the necessity of funding contract towers,” County Executive Brian Hughes said. “Millions of travelers far beyond the borders of Mercer County have grown to depend on Trenton-Mercer Airport.”
Passengers flying from Trenton-Mercer Airport will only have a choice of four Florida destinations come the winter
The air traffic control tower was among the 189 contracted towers the FAA proposed cutting under 2013’s budget sequestration.
Hughes appealed to the FAA and officials in Washington, D.C. to continue funding for the tower, citing the safety of local airspace and the detrimental impact it could have on the region’s economy.
The airport has 80,000 takeoffs and landings per year.
http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2015/12/trenton-mercers_air_traffic_control_tower_gets_fun.html