FAA Unveils New Air Traffic Control Tower in Arkansas

FAA Press Releases

Published March 12th, 2026

Detected March 14th, 2026

Summary

The FAA has unveiled a new air traffic control tower at Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA), replacing a decades-old facility. The new tower enhances safety and modernizes operations with advanced technology and staffing requirements mandated by the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act.

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What changed

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the unveiling of a new, 140-foot-tall air traffic control tower at Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA). This state-of-the-art facility replaces a temporary tower installed in 1998 and incorporates advanced technologies such as an improved weather monitoring system, digital ATIS, modern communication radios, and a Voice over IP-based Voice Communication System. Notably, it is the first tower to implement a provision from the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act requiring two controllers per shift at small- to medium-hub airports.

This notice serves as an informational update regarding infrastructure improvements within the National Airspace System. While no immediate compliance actions are required for regulated entities, the implementation of new staffing requirements and technologies at XNA highlights the FAA's ongoing modernization efforts and commitment to safety. Regulated entities, particularly those operating at or interacting with XNA, should be aware of the enhanced capabilities and operational standards at this facility.

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In With the New: FAA Replaces Decades-Old Tower in Northwest Arkansas

Thursday, March 12, 2026 WASHINGTON – FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and Rep. Steve Womack (AR-3) today unveiled Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA)’s new fully staffed air traffic control tower, which improves safety and meets modern FAA standards. The new tower is nearly two-and-a-half times the height of the previous tower, which was meant to be temporary when it was installed in 1998.

“Aviation has changed dramatically over the past three decades, and the importance of air traffic control and the need for more modern technology has only grown since then,” Bedford said. “This new, state-of-the-art facility represents a significant investment in aviation safety.”

The 140-foot-tall tower provides better line of sight for air traffic controllers, who now have a bird’s-eye view of the airfield. New technology installed in it means greater reliability and a safer, more efficient National Airspace System for the flying public.

It features:

An advanced aviation weather-monitoring system.
A digital Automated Terminal Information Service. This is a continuous broadcast of essential details for pilots, such as weather conditions and which runways are active.
Modern air traffic control communication radios which provide more reliable voice communications.
A modern Voice over IP-based Voice Communication System (VCS) system, which improves controllers’ ability to switch between radios to communicate with aircraft and other facilities.
A Multichannel Transceiver, which is a compact, high-performance radio platform that enables greater interoperability with modern VCS switching systems.

The FAA and Department of Transportation are delivering technology like this across the country as part of America’s Brand-New Air Traffic Control System.

Additionally, the Northwest Arkansas control tower is the first to implement a provision of the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act requiring two controllers per shift for small- to medium-hub airports.

XNA is one the fastest growing airports in Arkansas, and last year had the highest number of commercial passengers in the state.

XNA operates under the FAA Contract Tower (FCT) Program, with CI² Aviation providing air traffic control services.