Rep. Jefferson tells feds to replace New Orleans Lakefront Airport tower

May 14, 2007
Former tower was destroyed by Katrina

The Louisiana congressional delegation on Thursday sent a letter to the head of the Federal Aviation Administration requesting that the FAA step up its replacement of the air traffic control tower at New Orleans Lakefront Airport.

The letter sponsored by Rep. William Jefferson, D-New Orleans, to Marion Blakey expressed concern about the state of the tower.

Hurricane Katrina destroyed the tower and its communications and navigational equipment more than 20 months ago. Despite the lack of a permanent tower, the airport has continued to host a steady volume of air traffic.

Jefferson said the airport is suffering significant business loss simply because it lacks the services a control tower provides.

Jefferson also said every airplane passenger deserves to travel under the safest conditions, which requires a top-notch control tower.

Jefferson wants the FAA to set up a temporary tower until a permanent one is in place.

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