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PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Arizona Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego said in a letter Thursday that the FAA has not learned from its mistakes regarding flight paths and that its plan will expose tens of thousands more in the Valley to noise pollution.
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The letter to FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford raised concerns about the delayed plan to change flight paths at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and nine other Valley airports.
The senators said the new paths would expose an additional 86,384 people to noise, with 65,000 people facing noise increases of 5 decibels or more, despite better alternatives proposed.
The FAA wanted to focus on satellite-based navigation, which it said would provide safer and more efficient flights.
“While we share the goals of ensuring a safe and efficient airspace in the Phoenix area, we are concerned that the FAA’s proposed flight procedure changes will have significant adverse effects for neighborhoods, communities, and airports across the Phoenix area,” the senators wrote.
Late last month, the FAA postponed the proposal, saying the number of public comments required more time to complete its environmental review.
Kelly and Gallego also said the FAA did not learn from its last flight path proposal more than a decade ago.
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In 2014, the FAA changed flight paths in and out of Sky Harbor Airport without warning and without seeking public input. That move triggered a federal lawsuit, which the FAA lost, and the plan was scrapped.
“We urge the FAA to go further and commit to making meaningful changes to the Phoenix Area Modernization Project to address the serious concerns raised by impacted communities prior to finalizing or implementing any new air traffic procedures,” the senators said.
For more on the documents regarding the delayed flight path plan, click or tap here.
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