U.S. Transportation Secretary Tours Third Oldest Air Traffic Control Tower in Duluth

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Representative Pete Stauber toured Duluth International Airport's air traffic control tower, the third oldest in the nation and built in 1952. They highlighted the tower's outdated technology, which includes equipment from the 1950s to 1970s and copper wiring, emphasizing the urgent need for modernization. Congress recently allocated $12.5 billion through the “One Big Beautiful Bill” as a down payment toward upgrading the U.S. air traffic control system, though Duffy estimates the full cost will exceed $31 billion. Duluth’s tower upgrade alone is estimated at $72 million, with Minnesota state lawmakers contributing $10 million, but additional state and local funding will be necessary. The FAA is also addressing staffing shortages, aiming to hire 2,000 new air traffic controllers by the end of the year. Both officials stressed their commitment to securing resources to bring the tower and air traffic control infrastructure into the 21st century to support the region's economy and aviation safety.