The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced the opening of Asheville Regional Airport’s (AVL) brand-new 121-foot air traffic control tower, replacing the old facility built in 1961.
Over the past decade, air carrier operations at Asheville Regional Airport have increased by over 300%, and the new facility is anticipated to provide controllers with a more modern workspace to support growing air traffic demand across western North Carolina.
Construction of the tower was made possible by a 31.7 million USD grant provided by the FAA through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
The FAA also awarded 10 million USD through the IIJA to expand and modernise the airport’s terminal, increasing gate capacity from five to 12.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, said:Air traffic controllers need modern infrastructure and technology to keep up with growing demand.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in 2024, our controllers managed a dramatic increase in traffic to support recovery efforts. They deserve a modern facility and 21st century tools to continue providing safe and efficient air traffic services to western North Carolina.
Through the new air traffic control system, the AVL tower will receive a slew of key equipment upgrades by the end of 2028, including:
- New radars
- Modern voice switches
- Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI)
Additionally, the FAA recently installed a new Tower Simulation System (TSS) at Asheville, which will allow controllers to train in a controlled environment by projecting airport-specific operations and scenarios.
