The Federal Aviation Administration announced Friday which federal contract air control towers its closing beginning April 7 as a result of automatic spending cuts imposed by the federal government.
The FAA is closing 14 towers in Florida, including ones at North Perry General Aviation Airport in Hollywood and Boca Raton Airport. It's keeping the tower at Opa-locka Executive Airport open.
According to the FAA, North Perry is the ninth busiest contract tower; Opa-locka's is the 20th busiest.
“We heard from communities across the country about the importance of their towers and these were very tough decisions,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Unfortunately we are faced with a series of difficult choices that we have to make to reach the required cuts under sequestration.”
“We will work with the airports and the operators to ensure the procedures are in place to maintain the high level of safety at non-towered airports,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.
READ: Tower closure list | Towers remaining open |