Broome Could Lose Some Air Traffic Controllers
Not only has the Greater Binghamton Airport lost all but one major airline, it could be in line to lose some of its air traffic controllers.
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillbrand of New York is asking the Federal Aviation Administration to reconsider a recommendation to the operations that control air traffic that is not flying in the immediate vicinity of the airport from the Broome and the Elmira Corning airports to Scranton-Wilkes Barre.
The move would mean air traffic in the region that is not in the airport’s immediate airspace perimeter would be controlled remotely by equipment in the Scranton, Pennsylvania area.
Gillibrand says the consolidation being considered under cost-saving ideas, would not only mean a loss of jobs but also impacts the local economy. The Democrat says the regional income loss would be a million dollars a year. In addition, Gillibrand, who is a candidate for the Democratic party nomination for president, says the relocation of the operations would do away with local expertise concerning familiarity with the local airspace.