The Federal Aviation Administration is consolidating the radar approach control center at Griffiss with the operations at Syracuse’s airport this weekend.

The air control tower that handles landings and takeoffs at Griffiss will continue to operate as usual.

A total of eight jobs at Griffiss will be affected. All of the controllers and the site manager will remain with the FAA at other locations.

"It just not economically feasible to keep it going," Jim Cook, manager of the facility at Syracuse’s Hancock Airport said today. He points to the air traffic volume at Griffiss and need to invest in the facility.

"This is something we’ve done around the country," said Jim Peters of a FAA’s public affairs office.

Radar approach control facilities house air traffic controllers who use radar displays and radios to guide aircraft approaching and departing airports generally within a 30- to 50-mile radius between 3,000 and 10,000 feet. The controllers do not handle landings and takeoffs like airport tower controllers, they are responsible for the safe separation of aircraft flying in areas surrounding airports.