April 17, 2025
Alexandria, Va. – The U.S. Contract Tower Association (USCTA) yesterday sent a letter to key lawmakers urging them to improve controller staffing at contract towers, upgrade aging towers, and provide controllers with better equipment to enhance aviation safety. The move comes as policymakers are considering proposals to reform the Air Traffic Control (ATC) System.
“We commend Congress and the administration for taking steps to improve the ATC system,” said USCTA Executive Director Brad Van Dam. “Contract towers play a key role in the National Airspace System, and it is critical that any ATC reform effort include modest changes and investments to help enhance aviation safety at 265 smaller airports around the country.”
Enhance Controller Staffing: USCTA provided lawmakers with about a dozen proposals including recommendations to enhance controller staffing at contract towers. Securing additional controllers and limiting staffing disruptions continues to be a top priority for airports that participate in the FAA Contract Tower (FCT) Program.
The association is calling on the Departments of Transportation and Labor to expedite their review of the outdated wage determination for contract tower controllers and managers. Higher wages could help service providers retain and attract new controllers. USCTA is also recommending that the FAA work with contractors to expand their controller training programs to a broader pool of qualified candidates.
Invest in Contract Tower Infrastructure: USCTA is urging Congress and the administration to provide $1.4 billion to help airports repair, replace, and relocate old contract towers. Of that amount, $800 million would be reserved for sponsor-owned towers and $600 million for FAA-owned towers. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included $300 million for contract tower upgrades.
“That funding represents a step in the right direction,” USCTA said in its letter. “But it is not nearly enough to repair and replace aging contract towers.”
Provide Controllers with Better Equipment: Contract tower airports are continuing to advocate for providing controllers with better equipment. USCTA is calling on the FAA to expedite the approval of situational awareness equipment in contract towers and to provide $500 million to help airports procure this critical technology.
“This would be an easy way to enhance aviation safety at contract towers that don’t currently have radar displays,” Van Dam said. “Deploying this technology would reduce the risk of midair collisions, especially at contract towers with busy airspace and a wide variety of users.”
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ABOUT USCTA: An affiliate of AAAE, the U.S. Contract Tower Association (USCTA) was created in 1996 to promote the FAA’s Contract Tower Program. The FCT Program is a successful public-private-partnership that is responsible for half of the air traffic control towers in the U.S. and about 28 percent of air traffic operations. Today, 265 airports in 46 states participate in this cost-effective program that enhances aviation safety at smaller airports around the country.
CONTACT:
Brad Van Dam
Executive Director, U.S. Contract Tower Association
Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, AAAE
703.824.0500 x169
Brian M. Kalish
Associate Vice President, Communications, AAAE
703.575.2461