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Duluth Adds 2nd Overnight Air Traffic Controller

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) -- A second air traffic controller was on duty early Friday at the Duluth International Airport because of the fallout nationally from controllers caught napping on the job.

Duluth is among 27 airports around the country assigned a second controller during the graveyard shift. No commercial flights are scheduled to depart or arrive overnight, but airport director Brian Ryks says general aviation and corporate planes might use the airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration reviewed the entire air traffic control system after four cases in which controllers were caught snoozing on the job. FAA chief Randy Babbitt then ordered a second controller be added at 27 airports around the country. The Duluth News Tribune says the Fargo, N.D., airport also got a second overnight controller.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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