Duluth International Airport Running on Tech Older Than Your Grandmother's Vinyl Player
Built in 1952, the third-oldest operating air traffic control tower in the U.S. is in critical need of modernization to meet current aviation standards.
Duluth International Airport’s air traffic control tower, built in 1952, is one of the oldest in the U.S. and desperately needs an upgrade.
The tower’s outdated infrastructure, including equipment from the 1950s to 1970s, fails to meet modern safety standards, especially line-of-sight requirements for air traffic management. The tower, which oversees over 7,000 square miles of airspace, has become a significant safety concern. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently highlighted its antiquated nature, calling for urgent improvements.
To address this, the Duluth Airport Authority has proposed a $66 million project to replace the tower, with $10 million in federal funding already secured. Construction is expected to begin in 2025, with the new tower aimed to enhance safety, operational efficiency, and modernize technology.
