The $104B Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization package approved by the U.S. House of Representatives and under consideration by the U.S. Senate includes funding for Pinal Airpark in Marana that could lead to the construction of the facility’s first air traffic control tower.
Once a “boneyard” for old aircraft and part of the Central Intelligence Agency’s secret air operations program, the airpark has worked for years to evolve into a fully functioning airport and was named the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Airport of the Year in 2016. It now sees more than 100,000 commercial and military flights per year, and the lack of a tower has raised safety concerns.
Pinal Airpark’s potential tower funding is included under the FAA’s Essential Air Service program, which would see an increase to $292M from its current $162M. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Tucson, was instrumental in the airpark’s inclusion in the funding proposal.
The reauthorization bill has significant bipartisan support. It passed the House on a vote of 351-67. The Senate will either vote on the House version or develop its own, which would then be reconciled in conference with the House version before going to President Joe Biden for approval or veto. (Source)