NASHUA – Despite recent pleas from federal, state and local officials to keep the Nashua Municipal Airport’s air traffic control tower open, the Federal Aviation Administration announced Friday that the tower was one of 149 to be shut down because of budget cuts.
Local and federal officials said the cuts jeopardize public safety, as well as the local economy.
“We did everything we possibly could, and the fact that it didn’t merit any consideration … it really bothers me,” said Don Davidson, chairman of commissioners at the airport, also known as Boire Field.
“What bothers me more: I’ve been following it at the national level, and that amendment was not allowed to come up to a vote because the administration didn’t want it. They’re playing games with safety … safety of the public.”
Davidson was referring to the “Continuing Resolution” that was being considered on the Senate floor on Tuesday, when U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., made the case for an amendment that would have kept air traffic control towers open through the rest of the year.
“The FAA can use funds from other areas of its budget, without disrupting operations, to keep contract air traffic control towers – including Nashua’s – functioning,” Ayotte said in a press release.
She’s the ranking member of Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation.![]()
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