Locals Unconvinced By FAA's Arguments

Those concerned with the FAA's plans to close the Southeast Texas Regional Airport Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility and move those operations to Houston are breathing a bit easier this week, after the FAA suspended the move Tuesday.

The FAA announced in January plans to consolidate almost 50 TRACONs in more than 30 states, reports the Port Arthur (TX) News. Legislators whose districts would be affected by the closures opposed the move, saying consolidating facilities would compromise safety.

Congressman Ted Poe says it appears the FAA listened to lawmakers' concerns this time around... as opposed to past efforts, such as an amendment approved by Congress in 2006 to prevent the FAA from further consolidation of air traffic control functions for Palm Beach International. The FAA moved the facility anyway.

"I am glad the FAA listened to our concerns and decided to postpone phase 1 of the consolidation, which would have moved Beaumont'’s airspace to Houston Intercontinental Airport on the midnight shift September 27," said Poe, who worked to stop the consolidation along with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.

As of now, the Beaumont facility (BMT) is open from 0600 to 2200. Houston Center operates the Beaumont approach overnight. The consolidation plan called for Houston to assume all BMT operations by October 2008.

The consolidation would affect five airports throughout southeast Texas, including Beaumont Municipal.

FMI: www.faa.gov