The Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (KASE) could be the first in the nation to use closed-circuit television cameras as part of its air traffic-control operations, airport officials announced Wednesday.

After five years of meetings, review and field testing, the Federal Aviation Administration this week approved use of the cameras as a way to improve visibility for air-traffic controllers on the proposed 1,000-foot extension of the airport’s runway. Jim Elwood, airport director, called the approval an “important milestone” as work continues on the environmental assessment for the envisioned runway extension.

The cameras will eliminate the need for a much taller airport control tower. They can be used in conjunction with the existing tower, Elwood explained.

The TV camera technology will cost a fraction of a new airport tower, which could run upwards of $20 million, Elwood said in a press release. The TV camera system will cost about $500,000.