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BWI To Close Communication Center

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The Maryland Aviation Administration is closing a communications center at BWI Marshall Airport, because of state budget cuts.

The closure of the center at BWI means eight staffers will lose their jobs. The Baltimore Sun reports the employees include phone operators who deliver information in foreign languages like Arabic, French, Spanish, German and Flemish.

Automated security announcements in Spanish and English will continue. Airport staffers say separated passengers usually use cell phones to find each other and the automated system for the airport's 800 number answers most callers' questions. But passenger rights groups say not all travelers have cell phones. The move, prompted by state budget woes, is expected to save $450,000 dollars a year.

Natalie Neumann reports...

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