Statement on FAA decision on Ohio State University Airport

Following an appeal by the university, The Ohio State University today received the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revised list of 149 airports whose federally funded air traffic control towers will cease to be funded, as part of the agency’s sequestration implementation plan.  The Ohio State University Airport air traffic control tower appeared on the list of closures.

While the FAA’s four-week phased closure plan will begin April 7, The Ohio State University will support The Ohio State University Airport and Center for Aviation Studies by self-funding tower operations into May, as necessary, to avoid service disruption to our flight education students, as well as the numerous corporate and private operators that use the airport on a regular basis. In addition, the tower will remain open for the airport's hosting of the upcoming National Intercollegiate Flight Association's annual SAFECON flight competition, May 6-11, at which more than 30 university flight programs will compete.

The university will await specific instructions from the FAA before announcing final details and dates related to the possible closure of The Ohio State University Airport air traffic control tower.

The university will explore all options to continue air traffic control functions at The Ohio State University Airport, which oversees an estimated 70,000 takeoffs and landings per year. Currently, there are 8 air traffic controllers contracted to support operations at the airport.

The Ohio State University Airport began in 1943 as a flight training facility for military and civilian pilots. The airport now operates as a self-supporting entity of The Ohio State University through the College of Engineering.

About The Ohio State University

Founded in 1870, The Ohio State University is a world-class public research university and the leading comprehensive teaching and research institution in the state of Ohio. With more than 63,000 students (including 56,000 in Columbus), the Wexner Medical Center, 14 colleges, 80 centers, and 175 majors, the university offers its students tremendous breadth and depth of opportunity in the liberal arts, the sciences, and the professions.