New Tower Clears Sightlines at Manchester-Boston Airport

MANCHESTER (AP) -- First a new name, now a new tower.

Air traffic controllers at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport say a new 160-foot control tower opening in September will clear sightlines to all 15 terminal gates.

Right now, controllers say views to 10, or two-thirds, of those gates from the airport's 80-foot tower are obstructed.

The tower is not legally required to provide a view to those areas, where planes push back and taxi to the runways, but "it's going to be a big advantage to see the whole airport and what everyone is doing," said air traffic controller Brian Dubois.

The $7.7 million tower is part of an airport overhaul plan that included a new 2,250-foot runway, runway lighting, instrument landing system and digital airfield equipment to help pilots navigate their approach, said Bob Faherty, a project manager for the Federal Aviation Administration.

Controllers said a new tower means no more space heaters to stay warm -- and no more buckets to catch leaks from the 35-year-old tower's roof during a rain storm. Project engineer Jennifer Schaub said the new tower will be the only one in New England with radiant floor heating.

Manchester Airport had a record 4.5 million passengers last year, about 65 percent coming from outside New Hampshire. The airport generates more than $1 billion in economic activity, said airport manager Kevin Dillon.

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