SHAHEEN TOURS BOSTON AIR ROUTE TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER, TOUTS LEGISLATION TO PROTECT CONTROLLERS FROM FURLOUGHS

(Nashua, NH) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today toured the Boston Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) to discuss the Transportation-Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations legislation that the Senate is considering later this week. The bill would protect air traffic controllers in Nashua and across the country from furloughs and would also make important investments in NextGen, a critical Federal Aviation Administration effort to transition our air traffic control system from radar to satellite-based technologies.   

This afternoon Shaheen also met with Patricia Clark, who will soon have the ARTCC named in her honor in recognition of her decades of work. Clark has worked as an Administrative Assistant at the facility since it was constructed 50 years ago in 1963. Shaheen sponsored legislation with Senator Kelly Ayotte in the Senate to rename the Boston Air Route Traffic Control Center in recognition of Ms. Clark’s service.

“The work carried out at the Air Route Traffic Control Center is essential to the safety, efficiency and integrity of our air travel system,” Shaheen said. “That is why investments in our infrastructure are so crucial. The bill the Senate is considering this week will make sure that our air traffic controllers can continue to concentrate on their critical work keeping the skies safe, and also makes crucial investments in NextGen that will modernize our air travel system.

“The visit was also a wonderful chance to meet with Patricia Clark to personally thank her for her work at the Air Route Traffic Control Center. It was an honor to help recognize such an outstanding federal employee for her long and dedicated service,” Shaheen added.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimates that aviation accounts for 10 million U.S. jobs and $1.3 trillion in economic activity annually. NextGen will deliver more on-time and fuel-efficient flights, allowing aircraft to fly shorter, more precise routes that save customers time and reduce fuel coast and carbon emissions. The FAA estimates that implementing NextGen through 2018 would reduce total flight delays by 21 percent and provide $22 billion in benefits.