Md. Airports Seek State Help To Keep Towers Open

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- Several Maryland counties are seeking state help in keeping air traffic control towers open at their local airports.

A Hagerstown Regional Airport official told The Herald-Mail Tuesday that the group will ask Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley for state funding for 75 percent of the tower operating costs at least through Sept. 30, the end of the federal fiscal year.

The Federal Aviation Administration plans to eliminate tower operating funds at five small airports in Maryland starting April 21 due to budget constraints.

On that date, towers are scheduled to close at Martin State Airport outside of Baltimore; Frederick Municipal Airport; and Easton-Newnam Field in Easton.  The towers at Hagerstown and Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Airport are due to close May 5.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)