Unanimous Vote Directs City Officials To 'Do Whatever It Takes', Lawsuit May Be Filed

The Phoenix, AZ city council on Tuesday night voted unanimously to demand that the FAA reverse changes in traffic patterns at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport after numerous complaints from citizens about noise and other issues.

At least three council members hinted that a lawsuit could be forthcoming, according to The Arizona Republic.

The FAA altered traffic corridors on September 18 as part NextGen. The new routes allow for optimized approaches which mean less fuel burn and lower emissions from aircraft. But residents say that once-quiet historic neighborhoods are now subjected to noise from air traffic they say "rattles the windows." City officials say that they were unaware of the proposed changes, though some airport employees had copies of draft plans more than a year in advance of the change. Acting Airport Director Tamie Fisher said at the meeting that the airport did not think those draft plans would be implemented without official warning.

The council says that the FAA has not worked with the residents on a noise mitigation plan, and that the FAA was not transparent in making the changes to flight patterns. One councilman called for an internal investigation to see where the break in communication occurred between the agency and the city.

FAA Regional Administrator Glen Martin traveled from Los Angeles to Phoenix for the meeting. He said that the agency is looking at potential adjustments to the flight paths, but that it will take time for those alterations to be vetted and implemented ... just as long as putting noise mitigation in peoples' homes.

FMI: www.phoenix.gov/mayorcouncil, www.faa.gov