Sequestration would impact both Buffalo and NF airports
Congress has until next Friday to agree to a budget before more than $85 billion in funding is stripped from federal agencies over the next seven months.
If a budget sequestration does happen then, the FAA says both of our local airports will be impacted.
It is currently making plans to reduce its expenditures by approximately $600 million for the rest of the fiscal year, which will include furloughing employees, closing air traffic control facilities and eliminating overnight shifts at some airports.
The Buffalo-Niagara International Airport would lose its overnight shift and the Niagara Falls International Airport would have its air traffic control facility closed entirely.
"The idea that we are just doing this to create some kind of horrific scare tactic is nonsense. We are required to cut a billion dollars and if more than half of our employees are at the FAA, there has to be some impact," said Ray LaHood, Transportation Secretary.
Other upstate airports would also be affected by the move.