A critical air traffic control facility at Orlando International Airport is struggling to keep up with the region’s growth, sparking concerns that the 42-year-old center could pose a safety threat and worsen flight delays if it isn’t replaced soon, according to a Central Florida congressman and an employee union.
While not a visible feature at the airport, the Central Florida Terminal Radar Approach Control facility, known as the TRACON, helps to guide tens of millions of flyers to safe landings and departures each year.
Local congressional leaders are urging the Federal Aviation Administration to prioritize a proposed $60 million overhaul of the facility, which was built in 1983 and has never been fully modernized. They say both the building — located at Orlando International’s airfield — and some of its equipment are outdated and need upgrades to handle hundreds of daily flights at one of the country’s busiest tourist destinations…