Tulsa International Airport could face major cuts; Cuts could mean longer lines and delays

TULSA - Looming budget cuts set to take place March 1 could bring drastic changes to Tulsa International Airport.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood announced Friday a series of across-the board-cuts, totaling $85 billion, would harm air travel for fliers.

"I understand cuts, but we need to think about what we're doing for a country as as whole," Judy Karman said.

FAA workers could face furloughs. In addition, forced spending cuts could shut down control towers across the country.

Tulsa travelers may experience longer lines and delays more than ninety minutes. 

"You're going to have a lot of people and you're going to have other issues that you don't want to deal with. I don't mean to say nothing, but people are stressed out as it is. We don't need it at airports," Karman said.

Karman said the potential changes would have a major impact on her career. She flys weekly for work and fears cuts to airports across the country could be devastating for all fliers.

"It's a lost of time, money, lost of income. It's your whole day that you're trying to get somewhere or be somewhere,"said Karman.

The Federal Aviation Administration said airport staffing around the country could be reduced significantly.

Tulsa Airport Authority officials says workers at the air traffic control tower in Tulsa may have some midnight shifts eliminated.

"There wouldn't be a controller on duty directing traffic during that midnight shift and instead the pilot would be talking to the Kansas City center," Marketing Director for the Tulsa Airport Authority Alexis Higgins said.

Officials at Tulsa International Airport says they don't know exactly how the sequester will impact TIA at this time, but hope it will be minimal.

"I really don't forsee there being many delays. I think it's hard to say at this point. It would all depend on how our checkpoint is impacted," Higgins said.

But some fear the $85 billion dollars in cuts could still create big problems for air travelers.