Last-Minute Appeal Dismissed

Over protests from residents of several affluent neighborhoods in northwest Las Vegas, NV, on Tuesday airliners departing westbound from McCarran International Airport began implementing the so-called "right turn" departure path, as per FAA order.

On Monday, a 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals panel rejected a request by the city to block the new flight path until a city appeal is heard, reports The Associated Press. That appeal -- stemming from allegations the FAA ignored federal environmental and air quality laws when the agency approved the plan last November -- will be heard at a later date.

FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said the new departure path had presented no issues.

"Planes are flying it just the way we expected they would," Gregor said. "It's being used without any problems whatsoever."

The FAA states it expects some 200 airliners per day to utilize the northwest turn, in a move to ease airport congestion and reduce fuel consumption. Since 2001, aircraft departing to the west had made a turn to the south.

Residents in the city's northwestern neighborhoods say noise and safety concerns will decrease home values.

FMI: www.faa.gov