FAA cuts could cause travel delays and job cuts in Oklahoma

Air travelers in Oklahoma will suffer if Congress does not call off steep budget cuts, according to one industry group.

The gloomy prediction comes from the Washington D.C.-based Aerospace Industries Association, which found that a 10-percent budget cut to the FAA would kill 500 jobs in Oklahoma.

That's if congress does not cancel a trillion dollars in across-the-board spending cuts.

Association President Marion Blakey says the cuts would reduce the number of air traffic controllers, causing disruption in flight schedules.

“Delays like we remember a few summers ago will return with a vengeance,” Blakey said.

The report says Oklahoma also stands to lose $52 million in economic impact.

The study says the cuts are unprecedented and says the closest comparison would be the impact of the September 11th attack on the airline industry, which it said caused a huge drop in passenger travel and had far-reaching ripple effects in the economy.