Fairbanks airport tower to close overnight starting this weekend

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU/KTVF) - The air traffic control tower at Fairbanks International Airport will close overnight starting this weekend, according to a notice received by Alaska’s News Source.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says the Fairbanks Air Traffic Control Tower/TRACON will temporarily cease air traffic control services from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time, beginning Sunday, Oct. 19 at 0600 UTC. The closure will remain in effect until further notice, with a cancellation date listed as Oct. 31, 2027, at 1200 UTC.

No controllers overnight

During the closure, no controllers will guide planes overnight. Pilots will instead talk to each other on a shared radio channel and follow federal rules that let them land without tower clearance.

The notice states the PAFA Class D airspace will remain in effect, but Class D air traffic services will not be available. Under 14 CFR 91.129(a), air traffic control will not require aircraft to establish or maintain two-way radio communication within the PAFA Class D airspace during the closure. Terminal Radar Service Area services will also be unavailable. The Common Traffic Advisory Frequency will be 118.3 MHz.

The Fairbanks ASOS will be unavailable during closure times. Weather observations and reporting services will be available through Fairbanks Flight Service, the Fairbanks Aviation Weather Observer’s Office, the Alaska Aviation Weather Office, or Anchorage Center.

Runway visual range will be unusable when the control tower is closed. Pilot-controlled lighting will also be unavailable; approach lighting will be preset to the highest intensity warranted by conditions forecast in the Terminal Aerodrome Forecast, and adjustments to the approach lights will not be possible during the closure.

Fairbanks International handles cargo flights, domestic passenger traffic and medevac planes, all of which could be affected overnight.

Traveler reaction

Thomas Barale, a flight passenger, said he did not expect a tower closure.

“I didn’t even think a plane could land unless they had direct contact with the airport they’re landing at. It wouldn’t seem safe in any way, shape, or form. I guess if it’s a clear day, the pilot can see stuff, but if there’s low visibility, planes hitting each other on the runway. They’re not a good deal,” Barale said.

Barale also said he flies to Alaska every six weeks and sometimes arrives at 2 a.m.

“I definitely would not want to land unless the pilot has contact with the ground,” Barale said.

FAA has not explained the reason for closure

The FAA has not said why the tower is cutting overnight hours and did not respond to requests for comment. Airport management has also not responded.

The administration said weather updates and flight clearances will still be available during the closure. According to the notice, pilots requesting an IFR or special VFR clearance on the ground should contact Flight Service, and pilots requesting a clearance in the air should contact Anchorage Center. Vincent Baehr, the Air Traffic Manager for the Fairbanks Tower, signed the notice.

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