How sequester cuts might hit Washington’s smaller airports
Feb 25, 2013, 7:36 AM | Updated: 7:45 am
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Friday $600 million of those cuts would be sliced from the Federal Aviation Administration's budget. (AP Photo/File)
(AP Photo/File)
Federal spending cuts that are set to kick in if the sequestration takes effect March 1 could put a crimp in air travel at some smaller airports.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Friday $600 million of those cuts would be sliced from the Federal Aviation Administration’s budget.
That would mean furloughs for the FAA’s 47,000 employees, resulting in longer wait times for passengers and the end of commercial flights to some smaller airports in our state.
He said the cuts could also mean tower closures at 100 smaller airports, including eight in Washington.
Boeing Field and Spokane International, could see their towers closed for overnight shifts.
The furloughs and facility shut-downs would begin in April.
KIRO Radio’s Frank Shiers and Bob Larson contributed to this report.
