air traffic control

Congress passes bill to force return of FAA controller

UPDATED 9:39 AM EDT, April 27, 2013 | ALAN FRAM, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Furloughed air traffic controllers will soon be heading back to work, ending a week of coast-to-coast flight delays that left thousands of travelers frustrated and furious.

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UPDATED 13:05 PM EDT, April 26, 2013

Senate passes bill to ease FAA furloughs

WASHINGTON (AP) — With flight delays mounting, the Senate approved hurry-up legislation Thursday night to end air traffic controller furloughs blamed for inconveniencing large numbers of travelers.

A House vote on the measure was expected as early as Friday, with lawmakers eager to embark on a weeklong vacation.

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UPDATED 7:36 AM EDT, April 25, 2013

White House says it's open to fix on FAA furloughs

WASHINGTON (AP) — Under growing pressure, the Obama administration signaled Wednesday it might accept legislation eliminating Federal Aviation Administration furloughs blamed for lengthy delays affecting airline passengers, while leaving the rest of $85 billion in across-the-board spending cuts in place.

The disclosure came as sentiment grew among Senate Democrats as well as Republicans for legislation to ease the impact of the cuts on the FAA, and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood held talks with key senators.

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UPDATED 20:33 PM EDT, March 15, 2013

Air traffic tower closures will strip safety net

CHICAGO (AP) — The planned shutdown of nearly 240 air traffic control towers across the country under federal budget cuts will strip away an extra layer of safety during takeoffs and landings, leaving pilots to manage the most critical stages of flight on their own.

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UPDATED 13:08 PM EDT, August 8, 2012

FAA fallout

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration will bar airports nationwide from using a traffic-reversing operation that led to a close call last week at an airport near the nation's capital.

No commercial airports will be able to use the maneuver, in which controllers direct some planes to take off and land from the opposite of the usual direction, until a standardized procedure can be put in place, aviation officials said. There is no national standard for the maneuver, although airports follow their own procedures.

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UPDATED 20:46 PM EDT, August 7, 2012

FAA suspends operation that led to near-collision

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration will bar airports nationwide from using a traffic-reversing operation that led to a close call last week at an airport near the nation's capital.

No commercial airports will be able to use the maneuver, in which controllers direct some planes to take off and land from the opposite of the usual direction, until a standardized procedure can be put in place, aviation officials said. There is no national standard for the maneuver, although airports follow their own procedures.

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UPDATED 8:42 AM EDT, August 3, 2012

Too close for comfort

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