U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), and Representatives Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01) and Annie Kuster (NH-02), are calling on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reject a recent request to close the Manchester Air Traffic Control Tower between the hours of 12 – 6 AM.

In making their case, the state’s congressional delegation cited safety concerns and noted that Manchester Airport (MHT) has been designated as a diversion airport for New England. The delegation also highlighted the fact that MHT is home to the Dartmouth-Hitchcock emergency medical helicopter.

“We are concerned that this request, if approved, would create an unnecessary safety risk for both the aircraft and airport personnel that rely upon an operational tower at MHT during this shift,” Shaheen, Ayotte, Shea-Porter and Kuster wrote. “MHT has been designated as a diversion airport for New England, meaning it often receives non-scheduled operations during the midnight shift. This is particularly true during times of severe weather, like those that the region has seen this winter.  Additionally, MHT is home to the Dartmouth-Hitchcock emergency medical helicopter. Restricting the use of this critical emergency aircraft – as this request will do – jeopardizes the safety of our constituents who may not be able to get the care they need in a timely manner.”

The delegation continued: “Eliminating the midnight shift at MHT is an unsafe means to achieve nominal FAA staffing benefits. For these reasons, we urge you to deny this request.”

TEXT OF CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION LETTER TO FAA ADMINISTRATOR:

Michael Huerta

Administrator

Federal Aviation Administration

800 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20591

Dear Administrator Huerta:

On February 11, 2014, the New Hampshire congressional delegation was made aware of a request to the New England Regional Administrator to close the Manchester Air Traffic Control Tower (MHT ATCT) during the midnight shift between 12:00am and 6:00am.  We are concerned that this request, if approved, would create an unnecessary safety risk for both the aircraft and airport personnel that rely upon an operational tower at MHT during this shift. 

As the basis for its authorization, the request cites FAA Order JO 7232.5G.  Section 7 of that guidance states that “[i]n some facilities, operating hours may be reduced with little or no inconvenience to users and no adverse impact on safety of operations.”  While this may be true for some airports, it is simply not the case for MHT. 

MHT has been designated as a diversion airport for New England, meaning it often receives non-scheduled operations during the midnight shift.  This is particularly true during times of severe weather, like those that the region has seen this winter.  Additionally, MHT is home to the Dartmouth-Hitchcock emergency medical helicopter.  Restricting the use of this critical emergency aircraft – as this request will do – jeopardizes the safety of our constituents who may not be able to get the care they need in a timely manner. 

Additionally, there appears to be some procedural flaws with the request.  Section 6 of the guidance requires the FAA to “[d]etermine the impact a reduction or increase in operating hours would have on the local community by early informal coordination with airport users, community leaders, and airport managers.”  Though the request claims that “coordination and concurrence from all local stakeholders was completed,” MHT officials assert otherwise. 

Eliminating the midnight shift at MHT is an unsafe means to achieve nominal FAA staffing benefits.  For these reasons, we urge you to deny this request.

Sincerely,

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen

Sen. Kelly Ayotte

Rep. Carol Shea-Porter

Rep. Annie Kuster

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