Regulations & Safety
Johnston Regional Airport Leads FAA Digital Remote Tower Adoption
Johnston Regional Airport seeks FAA approval for digital remote tower, addressing controller shortages and enhancing air traffic safety in North Carolina.
In the world of aviation, progress is measured in knots, altitudes, and increasingly, data packets. While the friendly voice of an air traffic controller guiding a pilot through the skies is a cornerstone of aviation safety, the physical towers they work from are facing a 21st-century challenge. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is grappling with a nationwide shortage of controllers, putting a strain on the system. This operational pressure is forcing a look at innovative solutions, and one North Carolina airport is stepping up, aiming to be a pioneer.
Johnston Regional Airport (JNX), located in Smithfield, has earned the distinction of being the busiest general aviation airport in North Carolina. With this high volume of traffic comes a pressing need for enhanced air traffic management. Rather than simply building a conventional brick-and-mortar tower, JNX leadership is looking toward the horizon, expressing a desire to be “first in flight” with the FAA’s next-generation digital remote tower system. This ambition places the bustling airport at the center of a national conversation about the future of air traffic control, balancing cutting-edge technology with the rigorous demands of aviation safety.
The move toward digital or remote towers is not just about new gadgets; it’s a potential paradigm shift. By replacing the out-the-window view with a high-fidelity digital feed, the system promises greater efficiency, lower costs, and a flexible solution to staffing shortages. However, the path to implementation in the United States has been anything but smooth. JNX’s pursuit is a compelling case study in the tension between technological promise and the realities of regulatory hurdles and logistical challenges that have grounded similar projects elsewhere.
Johnston Regional Airport is not a sleepy, rural airstrip. It is a significant economic engine for its region, contributing an estimated $210 million to the local economy and supporting 1,100 jobs. Its status as the state’s busiest general aviation airport is a testament to its growth and strategic importance. This high level of activity, however, brings with it the complexities of managing a crowded airspace safely and efficiently. The need for a control tower is not just a matter of convenience but a critical step in ensuring the airport’s continued safe operation and growth.
The FAA has already recognized this need. Following a benefit-cost analysis, the agency confirmed that JNX qualifies for a Federal Contract Tower. This qualification is a formal acknowledgment that the volume and complexity of traffic at the airport warrant dedicated air traffic control services. The local aviation community has long been aware of the airport’s bustling nature, a sentiment echoed by leaders on the ground.
The Johnston County Airport Authority and the JNX Pilots and Tenants Association have both highlighted the necessity of managed growth and enhanced infrastructure. Their focus is on maintaining JNX’s position as a premier, accessible, and, most importantly, safe general aviation airport in the state. The question is no longer if a tower is needed, but what kind of tower will best serve the airport’s future.
“As the busiest general aviation airport in the State, we recognize the importance of managed growth and will continue to enhance our infrastructure to meet that demand. As we plan for the future of JNX, we also need to ensure we are the most accessible and safest general aviation airport in North Carolina.”
– Ken Starling, Chairman of the Johnston County Airport Authority
A remote or digital tower fundamentally changes how air traffic is monitored. Instead of controllers looking out of the glass windows of a traditional tower, the system uses a network of high-definition cameras and sensors mounted on a mast at the airfield. These instruments provide a seamless, panoramic view of the airport and its surroundings. This visual data is then streamed to a control room, which can be located on-site or even miles away. The real power of this system lies in its ability to augment reality. Controllers view the airfield on high-resolution screens that can overlay critical information directly onto the video feed. This can include aircraft identification tags, speed, altitude, and tracking indicators, enhancing situational awareness beyond what the human eye can perceive alone. This fusion of live video with digital data provides controllers with a comprehensive and detailed operational picture.
This technology also offers unprecedented flexibility. A single controller could potentially be certified to manage traffic at multiple airports, plugging into the digital feed of whichever facility requires service at that time (though they would only control one at a time). This model is particularly beneficial for airports with fluctuating traffic levels or those in remote locations where staffing a traditional tower 24/7 is not feasible.
Despite the clear benefits, the adoption of remote tower technology in the United States has been slow and fraught with difficulty. The FAA’s approach has been described as inconsistent, with evolving certification standards creating a challenging environment for airports and technology providers. This regulatory uncertainty has had real-world consequences, leading to the cancellation or suspension of several high-profile projects.
For instance, a remote tower project at Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL) was paused in 2023 after the technology provider ceased its work, citing a combination of factors including the pandemic, FAA travel restrictions, and the shifting certification landscape. A similar initiative at Leesburg Executive Airport (KJYO) in Virginia was also scrubbed that same year. These setbacks highlight the significant gap between the technology’s potential and the practical challenges of getting it approved and operational under the FAA’s stringent safety mandates.
Johnston Regional Airport’s ambition, therefore, is not just a local infrastructure project. It is an attempt to succeed where others have stumbled. If JNX can navigate the complex regulatory environment and successfully implement a digital tower, it could create a blueprint for other airports across the nation, potentially unlocking a key solution to the air traffic controller shortage and modernizing a critical piece of national infrastructure.
Johnston Regional Airport stands at a crossroads of growth and innovation. As the busiest general aviation hub in North Carolina, its need for an air traffic control tower is undisputed. The airport’s leadership, however, is aiming higher than a conventional solution, seeking to pioneer the implementation of a next-generation digital tower. This ambition aligns with a national need to address the shortage of air traffic controllers and modernize aviation infrastructure through cost-effective and efficient technology.
The path forward is lined with both promise and precedent for caution. The potential benefits of remote towers, enhanced safety, operational flexibility, and lower costs, are significant. Yet, the history of similar projects in the U.S. serves as a stark reminder of the immense regulatory and logistical hurdles involved. JNX’s journey will be closely watched by the aviation industry, as its success or failure could heavily influence the future trajectory of air traffic control technology across the country.
Question: What is a remote or digital air traffic control tower? Question: Why does Johnston Regional Airport need a control tower? Question: What are the main challenges facing the adoption of remote towers in the U.S.?
The Digital Frontier: Johnston Regional’s Bid to Reshape Air Traffic Control
A Growing Hub’s Need for a Watchful Eye
The Promise and Peril of the Remote Tower
What is a Digital Tower?
Challenges on the American Horizon
Conclusion
FAQ
Answer: A remote tower system replaces the traditional out-the-window view from a physical tower with a panoramic digital display. High-definition cameras and sensors at the airfield send a live feed to a control room, which can be located on-site or at a remote location. This feed can be enhanced with augmented reality overlays showing aircraft data.
Answer: JNX is the busiest general aviation airport in North Carolina. Due to its high volume of air traffic, the FAA has officially qualified the airport for a Federal Contract Tower to ensure the safe and efficient management of its airspace.
Answer: The primary challenges include navigating a complex and evolving regulatory environment with the FAA, which has been described as inconsistent. This has led to setbacks, with several remote tower projects at other U.S. airports being paused or canceled due to difficulties with the certification process.
Sources
Photo Credit: Hanson Professional Services
Regulations & Safety
US Senate Ends Preferential TSA Screening for Lawmakers Amid DHS Shutdown
The US Senate unanimously passed a measure ending expedited TSA screening for members of Congress during a DHS shutdown causing severe airport delays.
This article summarizes reporting by The Hill and Alexander Bolton.
The United States Senate has unanimously approved a measure to eliminate the preferential airport security screening privileges previously afforded to members of Congress. Passed late Thursday night, the proposal ensures that lawmakers will no longer be permitted to bypass or expedite their passage through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints.
The legislative action arrives during a critical period for federal transportation security. A monthlong Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown has left TSA personnel working without pay while managing increasingly severe passenger bottlenecks across the country.
According to reporting by The Hill:
The Senate approved by unanimous consent Thursday a proposal to end the special treatment members of Congress get at airports.
For years, members of Congress have enjoyed special treatment at commercial airports, allowing them to speed through or entirely skip standard TSA screening lines. The newly passed measure explicitly prohibits this practice, requiring elected officials to undergo the same security procedures and wait times as the general public.
In his report for The Hill, journalist Alexander Bolton noted that the proposal to end this special treatment was approved without opposition. The swift passage via unanimous consent highlights a rare moment of bipartisan agreement, likely spurred by the optics of politicians bypassing hours-long security lines while their constituents face unprecedented travel delays.
The timing of the Senate’s decision is closely tied to the ongoing operational crisis at the TSA. A monthlong DHS shutdown has severely impacted airport security operations nationwide, creating a volatile environment for both travelers and federal workers.
Industry reporting indicates that TSA workers have been forced to manage overwhelming crowds while continuing to work without financial compensation. This staffing shortage has resulted in massive, multi-hour security lines at major airports. By stripping themselves of expedited screening privileges, senators are now subject to the same grueling wait times that everyday travelers are enduring during the shutdown. The unanimous passage of this measure is a direct response to the mounting public frustration over the DHS shutdown. When federal employees are mandated to work without pay to maintain national security, the optics of lawmakers utilizing VIP fast-tracks become politically untenable.
We view this legislative move as a necessary public relations correction for the Senate. However, it remains to be seen whether experiencing these severe airport delays firsthand will incentivize Congress to expedite a resolution to the DHS funding lapse. Until the shutdown is resolved and TSA staffing levels stabilize, both lawmakers and the public will have to navigate the strained aviation infrastructure together.
The Senate passed the measure to end the special treatment that allowed members of Congress to skip or speed through TSA security lines, ensuring they face the same screening processes as the general public.
A monthlong DHS shutdown has forced TSA personnel to work without pay, leading to significant staffing shortages, call-outs, and hours-long security lines at airports nationwide.
Lawmakers Lose Expedited Passage
The Impact of the DHS Shutdown
Political Implications
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Senate pass this measure?
How is the DHS shutdown affecting air travel?
Sources
Photo Credit: US Army
Regulations & Safety
DHS Funding Deadlock Causes TSA Delays and Airport Disruptions
Senate deadlock on DHS funding leaves TSA workers unpaid, causing long airport delays amid demands for ICE and CBP reforms after Operation Metro Surge.
This article summarizes reporting by AP News and journalist Kevin Freking, supplemented by broader legislative research.
The legislative standoff over funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues as a critical funding bill failed to advance in the U.S. Senate on Friday, March 20, 2026. According to reporting by AP News, the impasse is directly contributing to mounting delays at major U.S. Airports, where unpaid Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel are increasingly calling out of work.
The core of the gridlock stems from Democratic demands for sweeping policy changes to federal immigration enforcement, specifically targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These demands follow the controversial “Operation Metro Surge” in Minnesota earlier this year, which resulted in the fatal shootings of two American citizens.
As travelers face wait times stretching up to two hours at hubs like Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, lawmakers are scrambling for a resolution. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has proposed a standalone bill to fund the TSA, aiming to alleviate airport chaos while broader DHS negotiations continue.
The failure to pass the DHS funding measure has left the vast majority of TSA employees working without pay, as they are classified as essential workers. According to recent legislative research, this financial strain has led to a rising number of staff call-outs across the country.
The operational impact is becoming highly visible to the traveling public. At George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, passengers have reported security screening wait times of up to two hours. Republican Senator John Thune expressed frustration over the situation, noting the visible toll on travelers.
“This is a pox on everybody’s house. You’ve got people standing in lines at the airports,” stated Sen. John Thune, adding that good-faith efforts are finally underway.
The legislative blockade is rooted in a deep partisan divide over federal immigration tactics. Democratic lawmakers are withholding support for the broader DHS funding package until specific reforms are mandated for ICE and CBP operations.
Based on our research, these demands include requiring judicial warrants before agents can forcefully enter private homes, banning the use of identity-concealing masks by federal immigration agents, and mandating clear, visible identification on all uniforms. Senator Patty Murray emphasized the urgency of these reforms, referring to ICE as a rogue agency that needs to be reined in. In an attempt to decouple airport security from the immigration debate, Senator Chuck Schumer announced plans to introduce a TSA-only funding measure on Saturday, March 21.
“Tomorrow, America will see the matter crystal clear: which senators want to open up TSA… and which senators are going to block TSA funding,” Schumer remarked.
Meanwhile, behind-the-scenes negotiations are ongoing. White House “border czar” Tom Homan has been meeting with a bipartisan group of senators. Senator Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, indicated that the White House has presented a fair and reasonable offer, though the specific concessions remain undisclosed.
The current demands for ICE and CBP reform are a direct legislative response to “Operation Metro Surge,” a massive federal immigration enforcement initiative launched in December 2025. The operation deployed approximately 3,000 armed and masked agents to the Minneapolis and St. Paul area.
Before officially ending in mid-February 2026, the operation triggered widespread protests and resulted in an estimated $203.1 million economic and community impact on Minneapolis, according to recent reports.
The operation drew intense national scrutiny following the deaths of two U.S. citizens. On January 7, 2026, 37-year-old Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem later labeled Good a domestic terrorist, a characterization strongly disputed by Good’s family and Democratic officials.
Weeks later, on January 24, 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse and legally armed citizen with no criminal record, was fatally shot by CBP agents while filming and directing traffic. A February 2026 report by House Oversight Democrats accused the administration of attempting to cover up misconduct related to these incidents.
The ongoing DHS funding lapse illustrates how localized federal law enforcement controversies can rapidly escalate into national economic and logistical crises. The events in Minnesota have fundamentally altered the legislative landscape, transforming a debate over use-of-force policies into a budgetary standoff that directly impacts the U.S. aviation sector. If the impasse continues, the economic toll on the airline industry, already grappling with the logistical nightmare of unpaid, understaffed TSA checkpoints, could compound significantly as we approach the busy spring travel season. We anticipate that pressure from airline industry lobbying groups will intensify in the coming days to force a resolution, at least for TSA funding.
A legislative standoff over Department of Homeland Security funding has left TSA agents working without pay. This financial strain has led to increased staff call-outs, resulting in significant bottlenecks and wait times of up to two hours at major U.S. airports. Operation Metro Surge was a federal immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities involving approximately 3,000 agents. The initiative resulted in the controversial deaths of two U.S. citizens and sparked the current Democratic demands for ICE and CBP reform.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has proposed a standalone bill to fund the TSA independently of the broader DHS budget, though it remains to be seen if the measure will garner enough bipartisan support to pass the Senate.
Airport Disruptions and the TSA Toll
Mounting Wait Times at Security Checkpoints
The Legislative Standoff and ICE Reform Demands
Democratic Conditions for DHS Funding
Alternative Funding Proposals and Negotiations
The Shadow of Operation Metro Surge
A Controversial Enforcement Dragnet
Fatalities Spark National Outrage
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are TSA lines so long right now?
What is Operation Metro Surge?
Will the TSA get funded separately?
Sources
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Regulations & Safety
IBC Airways ERJ-145 Skids Off Runway in Les Cayes During Heavy Rain
An IBC Airways Embraer ERJ-145 skidded off the runway in Les Cayes, Haiti, due to heavy rain. No injuries reported; investigation ongoing.
This article summarizes reporting by The Haitian Times and journalist Jordany Junior Verdieu.
An IBC Airways Embraer ERJ-145 arriving from Miami skidded off the runway at Antoine Simon International Airport in Les Cayes, Haiti, on Friday, March 20, 2026. According to reporting by The Haitian Times, the aircraft encountered heavy rains and a waterlogged runway upon landing, which severely compromised the aircraft’s ability to stop.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the passengers and crew. The incident highlights the operational challenges of wet-weather landings at the recently upgraded regional airport, which serves as a critical transportation lifeline for southern Haiti.
The flight, operating from Miami International Airport to Les Cayes, approached the airport while the southern region of Haiti was under a yellow weather alert. According to comprehensive incident data, the flight crew initially aborted their landing at 2:35 PM local time due to poor visibility and adverse weather, executing a standard go-around procedure.
During the second landing attempt at 2:40 PM, the aircraft touched down but immediately struggled to decelerate. Describing the critical moments after touchdown, the primary report noted the aircraft:
“…experienced braking issues on a flooded runway,” according to The Haitian Times.
Unable to come to a safe stop, the Embraer ERJ-145, bearing registration N271BC, overran Runway 08. The aircraft crashed through the airport’s perimeter safety barriers and came to rest on the northeast shoulder, with its nose exposed near the edge of National Road 7. The plane sustained material damage during the excursion, including the loss of a wheel.
Local authorities responded swiftly to the runway excursion. The Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Directorate of Civil Protection quickly deployed to the scene, establishing a security perimeter to protect the aircraft and prevent secondary traffic accidents on the adjacent public roadway.
Haiti’s National Civil Aviation Office (OFNAC) and the National Airport Authority (AAN) have launched an official investigation to determine the exact sequence of events. Official reports from OFNAC indicate there were five passengers plus the flight crew on board, totaling approximately 10 occupants. All individuals on board emerged physically unharmed, though reportedly shaken by the ordeal. Technical teams from OFNAC, AAN, and IBC Airways are scheduled to conduct a full technical assessment of both the aircraft and the runway infrastructure to understand the contributing factors of the overrun.
Antoine Simon International Airport recently underwent significant renovations, extending its runway to 1,850 meters to support international commercial flights. IBC Airways inaugurated this direct Miami-to-Les Cayes route on November 10, 2025. This connection is vital for the region’s economy and the Haitian diaspora, allowing travelers to safely bypass the gang-controlled capital of Port-au-Prince.
However, Friday’s incident has reignited local concerns regarding the resilience of Haiti’s airport infrastructure. Questions are actively being raised about the runway’s drainage capabilities and overall safety during periods of heavy tropical rain.
We note that this specific aircraft, registered as N271BC, was involved in a prior incident at the exact same airport in June 2022. During a cargo flight, an uneven patch repair on the runway caused severe vertical shock loads to the aircraft’s landing gear, leading to avionics issues. While the current investigation will determine the exact cause of Friday’s excursion, heavily pointing toward weather and drainage, the recurring challenges at Les Cayes underscore the critical need for robust airport infrastructure maintenance. Any potential suspension of flights due to this investigation could temporarily re-isolate the southern peninsula, forcing travelers back into dangerous overland routes.
Were there any injuries in the IBC Airways runway excursion? What caused the plane to skid off the runway? What type of aircraft was involved?
IBC Airways Embraer ERJ-145 Skids Off Runway in Les Cayes Amid Heavy Rain
Incident Details and Timeline
Emergency Response and Investigation
Infrastructure and Regional Impact
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
No, all passengers and crew were reported safe and physically unharmed following the incident.
Preliminary reports indicate that heavy rain and a flooded runway caused severe braking difficulties. An official investigation by Haiti’s National Civil Aviation Office (OFNAC) is currently ongoing to confirm the exact causes.
The aircraft was an Embraer ERJ-145 operated by IBC Airways, flying from Miami to Les Cayes.
Sources
Photo Credit: X
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