Potential Closure of California Airport Near SFO Due to Air Traffic Controller Pay Dispute

SAN CARLOS, Calif. — Close to San Francisco International Airport, the air traffic control tower at San Carlos Airport will turn off its lights this coming Saturday.

An announcement was made earlier this week in a press release from the airport. Due to a pay dispute with the private company they work for, the entire air traffic control team at the small airport has resigned.

“The controllers rejected the offer because it was considerably lower than what the previous company had proposed,” explained Davi Howard, a spokesperson for San Carlos Airport.

The prospect of having no air traffic controllers has alarmed many people, especially given the fatal collision that happened in Washington, D.C. That includes San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller, whose district includes the airport.

“You just cannot have an airport, San Carlos Airport, functioning in close proximity to an airport that sees the type of traffic that San Francisco airport has,” Mueller said.

Aviation Consultant and former SFO Supervisor Mike McCarron says small airports can still operate without air traffic control staff. However, he says having that extra layer of safety is better for everyone.

“It’s still safe to fly in an uncontrolled airfield. It’s done everyday. Across the nation there are hundreds of uncontrolled airfields. But when you’re operating in a congested airspace such as the Bay Area it just helps us more to have people in the tower,” said McCarron.

McCarron says most airports’ air traffic control staff are employed directly by the FAA, which offers a cost of living adjustment for employees who work in expensive metropolitan areas. He said he hopes the company that runs the San Carlos Airport tower will do the same.

As of Thursday, airport staff say they believe a deal will be reached soon, but they have a contingency plan in place to make sure the tower remains staffed.

“We’re confident that come Saturday either the present controllers will still be working or some new controllers will be standing by to take over and run the control tower,” Howard said.