JWA Tower Closes Due To Coronavirus, Aircraft Still Flying

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — On Thursday, a worker at Orange County's John Wayne Airport presumably tested positive for new coronavirus, the airport told Patch.

"The FAA has advised John Wayne Airport that a JWA Air Traffic Controller is unconfirmed, but presumed positive for COVID-19," JWA spokeswoman Deanne Thompson said.

All cases of coronavirus must be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control, according to that agency's website.

Out of precaution, the FAA closed the tower at John Wayne Airport late Thursday. The FAA will handle all air traffic through a regional control center.

According to the FAA, regional controllers who work in other areas will direct air traffic in and out of the busy Orange County airport. The OC Register reports that those regional workers can aid ten arrivals an hour, rather than the 28 planes that typically land in that given period.

The general aviation runway at JWA is currently closed, and the commercial runway remains open, Thompson told us.

With travel in and out of the area diminishing, it is not yet known if this new strategy will cause a delay in travel.

This is a developing report. Please refresh for the latest information.