HASTINGS, WASSERMAN SCHULTZ LAUD FAA DECISION TO BUILD TRACON AT PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The following information was released by the office of Florida Rep. Alcee Hastings:

Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (FL-23) and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-20) applauded the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) announcement to build a new Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility at Palm Beach International Airport (PBIA) in West Palm Beach, Florida that will coincide with the new tower currently under construction. TRACONs monitor and direct air traffic within 30 to 50 nautical miles of major airports from the time an aircraft's landing gear lifts off the ground up to 23,000 feet. The current Tower and TRACON were commissioned in 1969.

"I am truly elated that the FAA has decided to build a TRACON at PBIA and keep those critical safety functions here in West Palm Beach," said Rep. Hastings. "TRACONs are vitally important to our nation's air transportation network and a dedicated TRACON at PBIA will not only maintain but, in some cases, improve local and regional service as well as enhance system safety by offering additional air traffic control service to South Florida. The new TRACON at West Palm Beach can act as a backup system to the TRACON in Miami while Miami does the same for West Palm Beach."

"This is welcome news for South Florida," said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. "Having a TRACON at Palm Beach International Airport is a great boon for our state's economy and overall air traffic safety. The TRACON currently in place at PBIA has been long overdue for upgrades, and now thanks to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and the FAA, the dream will become a reality. I look forward to working with the FAA and the rest of the Florida delegation as we track the progress of the new TRACON facility and usher in a new era in aviation for South Florida."

"I commend FAA Administrator Babbitt for his leadership in bringing this project one step closer to reality," further noted Rep. Hastings. "In addition, I would also like to thank my fellow colleagues from Florida who have been a part of this journey over more than five past years. Without their interest and continuous support, this announcement may not have happened today.

"However, I would be terribly remiss if I did not take this opportunity to also recognize our nation's air traffic controllers and their President Paul Rinaldi. These dedicated men and women work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to make sure that we reach our destinations as safely and quickly as possible. They are the reason that we have the safest air traffic control system in the world, and that is why we must continue to support them.

"Additionally, I have also had the pleasure of getting to know many members of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) in and around my district in South Florida, and I can personally attest to the remarkable job they do. Their dedication and professionalism are truly exceptional. NATCA has been, and continues to be, an instrumental partner with me and the FAA in realizing a TRACON at PBIA.

"As we move forward with modernizing our nation's air traffic control system, we must ensure that air traffic controllers are best equipped to continue delivering the highest levels of service to those flying within our airspace. Building and keeping a TRACON at PBIA is the right thing to do, and I stand ready to assist the FAA in making sure that the transition to the new tower takes place as smoothly and quickly as possible. This is indeed a great day for South Florida."

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Democratic Chairman of the Florida Delegation.