Dubuque airport to lose air traffic control tower

Federal budget cuts to shut down air traffic control tower at small Iowa airport

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- The Federal Aviation Administration says it will shut down an air traffic control tower at a Dubuque airport due to federal budget cuts.

The FAA released a final list Friday that shows Dubuque Regional Airport is slated to lose an air traffic control tower starting early next month. It's one of 149 air traffic control facilities around the country that will close due to the federal spending cuts known as sequestration.

The towers scheduled to close are at smaller airports with lighter traffic, and all pilots are trained to land without help. They can communicate among themselves on a common radio frequency.

The Dubuque airport provides flights to Chicago O'Hare through American Airlines.