MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) - The Federal Aviation Administration says it is replacing an aging air traffic control facility that handles flight traffic in and out of the New York region.
Sen. Charles Schumer says the decision means about 1,000 controllers and support staff will keep their jobs on Long Island. He says the workers’ overall average salary is $100,000.
A Schumer spokeswoman says the project to replace the Terminal Radar Approach Control, or TRACON (TRAY-con) facility, in Westbury, will cost approximately $245 million.
Schumer says this is a scaled-back plan. Originally the FAA wanted to combine the Westbury site with another facility in Ronkonkoma. Schumer’s spokeswoman says it is still possible the facilities could be combined in the future.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association said it supports the decision.
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