Fairbanks Air Traffic Control Tower to close overnight due to staffing shortages
Fairbanks International Airport's air traffic control tower will go quiet overnight under a temporary Federal Aviation Administration order. According to the order, published Oct. 17, flights will still be able to take off and land overnight — as they do in many other Alaska communities without full-time air traffic control services. Pilots departing and arriving in Fairbanks will also have support from air traffic control staff in Anchorage. Alaska Airlines doesn't expect the closure to significantly affect Fairbanks operations, except in low-visibility conditions, company spokesperson Tim Thompson said in an email. "Alaska Airlines pilots use the same communication procedures during the ATCT [Air Traffic Control Tower] closure hours as they do at other airports with part-time or no ATCTs," he said. However, the airline strongly supports full-time air traffic control in Fairbanks to…
