JC Tower Could Still be Cut

Despite an initial pass by the Federal Aviation Administration, employees at Jefferson City Memorial Airport’s air traffic control tower expect to be out of work after September 30th.Air traffic manager Steve Martin told ABC 17 News Sunday that the only way the tower will open after that date is if Congress fixes sequestration and if the FAA includes the tower in the 2014 budget.ABC 17 News first reported last week that Columbia Regional Airport’s tower was put on the FAA’s chopping block and will close next month.However, the announcement included a vague guarantee that Jefferson City’s will stay open. This is because the city shares part of the operating cost with the contractors who run the tower.Martin said airport manager Ron Craft responded to last week’s FAA list, asking for clarification, and was told not to expect to operate the tower starting October 1.