The US Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday filed formal approval of Boeing's 787 battery fix that will clear the way for the troubled aircraft to fly again. The FAA's new airworthiness directive for the 787 requires the installation of new and auxiliary power unit batteries and their respective chargers, as well as battery enclosures and ducts. "Once the aircraft are in compliance with the AD, they can return to service," an FAA spokesman said in an email. The FAA filing in the Federal Register is set to take effect Friday.

The US Federal Aviation Administration ordered the shutdown of air-traffic control towers at 149 small airports due to budget constraints after the implementation of the "sequester" spending cuts. Another 40 towers that were facing closure will remain open, either because shutting them "would have a negative impact on the national interest," or because they enjoy separate budgeting support, the FAA said.