December 13th, 2024 – The FAA recently announced the commissioning of a new environmentally sustainable air traffic control tower at Teterboro Airport (TEB) in New Jersey.
Standing 157 feet tall, the new tower features a 750-square-foot cab, offering air traffic controllers a panoramic view of the airfield – the previous cab stood at just 75 feet, less than half the height of the new tower.
Beneath the tower is a 19,000-square-foot base building, which provides office space for controllers, technicians, and administrative staff.
Both the tower and the base are designed to support current and future operational needs.
“Aviation is an invaluable part of everyday life and our national economy, which is why we need the right infrastructure at our airports,” said FAA Deputy Administrator Katie Thomson. “This taller and more modern control tower will not just make it easier for controllers to keep the National Airspace safe, but it will help the airport expand its flight operations. That means more options for consumers and businesses alike.”
The new tower, which replaces the previous 75-foot-tall structure commissioned in 1975, is equipped with cutting-edge technology to meet the growing demands of the airfield.
“The new Teterboro tower will house our controllers and our technicians doing what they do best – keep our skies safe, organized and efficient,” said FAA Teterboro Air Traffic Manager Matthew Peterson.
Designed to align with the Guiding Principles for High-Performance Sustainable Federal Buildings, the facility reduces energy and water consumption, conserves resources, minimizes waste, and ensures excellent indoor air quality.
The tower supports a team of 41 FAA employees, including 29 in air traffic services and 12 in technical operations, who are responsible for installing and maintaining air traffic control equipment.
Operational since late October 2024, the project was completed at a cost of approximately $73.4 million.
Business Aviation at Teterboro Airport
Teterboro Airport is dedicated to business aviation and one of the most important private jet hubs in the world.
The airport has aircraft limits & restrictions in place to prevent commercial airlines and scheduled commercial services from operating at the airport
By focusing on business & general aviation at KTEB, this reduces the congestion at larger commercial hubs such as JFK International, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty Int’l.
Many members of the business aviation community have been looking forward to the upgraded ATC tower, which began back in 2009 when the project was greenlit to replace the tower that was 34 years old at the time.
“Looking out from the tower cab it becomes obvious that general aviation thrives here at Teterboro, a business aviation hub like no other in the world,” noted Alex Gertsen, CAM, NBAA’s senior director of airport advocacy and vertical infrastructure.
“These projects are marathons, not sprints. Planning and environmental permitting processes began here in 2009 and now fifteen years later, all Teterboro Airport stakeholders will benefit from these efforts and the elevated level of safety thanks to exemplary collaboration from the FAA, PANYNJ, Avports, National Air Traffic Controllers Association, airport users and tenants and not to be overlooked – the involvement of the surrounding community.”