LAX, John Wayne Flight Operations Returning To Normal After New FAA Procedures

NEWPORT BEACH, CA —Wanna get away? LAX operations hope to return to normal this week following implementation of 60 new arrival and departure procedures.

Called the "NextGen" program, it has been added to dozens of metropolitan areas across the country according to the FAA, including parts of Southern California.

Last week, the FAA reported implementation the new departure procedures as part of the Southern California "metroplex" project, the agency said.

"The procedures are new to both pilots and air traffic controllers," FAA Public Affairs Manager Ian Gregor said. "As a result, we deliberately slowed down the system to ensure the procedures are working properly and to allow pilots and controllers to become accustomed to using them. We have taken similar initiatives when we implemented other Metroplex projects. We will return to normal operations as soon as possible."

In the Southland, airports affected by the new program include:

• Bob Hope
• Hawthorne Municipal
• Los Angeles International
• Long Beach
• Ontario International
• Oxnard
• Palm Springs International
• San Diego International
• Santa Monica Municipal
• John Wayne-Orange County
• Van Nuys airports

The FAA said:

"The procedures are new to both pilots and air traffic controllers. As a result, we deliberately slowed down the system to ensure the procedures are working properly and to allow pilots and controllers to become accustomed to using them. We have taken similar initiatives when we implemented other Metroplex projects. We will return to normal operations as soon as possible.

"We are gradually increasing the LAX arrival and departure rates as everyone gets more used to the system. We increased the rates this morning, and will do so again later in the week. This will reduce delays as we get the system toward normal operations.

"We are increasing the LAX rates more quickly than we anticipated we would when we implemented the routes last week. Air traffic controllers underwent extensive training on the new procedures, but it is prudent to slow down the system when the procedures are initially in use."

More information is available at metroplexenvironmental.com.

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