FAA to close 2 air traffic control towers in Minnesota

Published 2:47 pm Saturday, March 23, 2013

MINNEAPOLIS — The Federal Aviation Administration said it will close two air traffic control towers in Minnesota because of federal budget cuts.

The agency announced the decision Friday, a month after it released a preliminary list of facilities that could be closed.

In Minnesota, air traffic control towers slated for closure are at St. Cloud Regional Airport and Anoka County-Blaine Airport.

Email newsletter signup

St. Cloud Regional Airport Director Bill Towle said five jobs will be lost when the tower at his airport closes April 7. He says the airport “is certainly not going to be as safe” without the tower.

Two Minnesota airports that were on the preliminary list of possible tower closings were spared. They are Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie and the Crystal Airport.