The FAA has launched a pilot program to transition select high-activity contract towers to FAA ownership and staffing, beginning with Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport and Mesa Gateway Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched a pilot program to transition select high-activity federal contract towers to FAA-owned and operated towers, starting with Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport and Mesa Gateway Airport.
The agency announced the program on Monday, May 18, saying it is intended to strengthen the controller pipeline and standardize training. FAA said qualified contract tower controllers will transition with their facility to an FAA-trained and operated tower.
The move is tied to Section 625 of the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, according to the agency.
FAA said the pilot is expected to take 29 to 44 months to complete. The announcement did not say when the first facility transition will begin.
Bozeman had already drawn attention earlier this year after Montana lawmakers urged FAA to include the airport in the pilot program. Mesa Gateway Airport Authority board minutes in February also said the airport was the first selected to participate.
The FAA has not said whether it will name additional candidate towers soon.
Revision note
Initial automated publication.