Texarkana Regional Airport was also on the closure list, but local officials say they still want to keep the tower open.

Airport officials say they're disappointed in the decision, but will not allow it to affect operations.

The Texarkana Airport has about 60,000 passengers arriving and departing from the terminal each year.

They say if the tower were to close, flights would still be able to land there, but it would be up to pilots to communicate with each other to avoid collisions.

"We consider safety as our reason to be and that tower is a key part of that. We'll continue to operate. We'll find a way to do it," explained Steve Luebbert, Airport Director.

The airport intends to arrange for interim insurance coverage and to offer contracts to tower staff.

Their goal is to keep the tower operating while they're flying passenger aircraft.