Feds May Completely Change Reagan Airport's Flight Paths

ARLINGTON, VA — Complaints about the loud noise of large jetliners flying low over Arlington and D.C. neighborhoods could prompt the feds to alter the flight paths of planes departing and arriving at Ronald Reagan National Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration is holding community meetings soon over a proposal that will hopefully reduce some of the noise over neighborhoods, according to a WUSA 9 report, which quoted an FAA spokesperson as saying that planes currently have to fly on their current paths because airspace over the National Mall is restricted.

A new proposed path would take planes a little closer to Arlington, and keep the planes over the Potomac River longer. This would decrease noise in areas like Georgetown and other areas in Northwest.

D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton issued a statement June 14 protesting the current flight paths over D.C. neighborhoods.

"I write to support my constituents in the D.C. Fair Skies Coalition who have filed a petition because they have been unable to receive relief after reaching out to the Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority (MWAA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)," Norton said in a letter. "As you know, my office has worked with MWAA and its Airplane Noise Working Group, and we recognize that the working group is making progress. However, my constituents have felt compelled to file a petition with FAA about continuing concern about the shifting of flight paths for planes departing Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) from over the Potomac River to over District of Columbia neighborhoods, including Georgetown, Burleith, Foggy Bottom, Foxhall, Colony Hill, and Palisades in Wards 2 and 3, creating unbearable noise. Amazingly, residents report that airplane noise is actually starting to intensify in other parts of the city, including the Bellevue neighborhood of Ward 8."

The following upcoming community meetings in the area will address the issue, according to the report:

September 13, 6:30pm — 9:30pm
Washington Lee High School
1301 N Stafford St, Arlington, VA 22201

September 14, 5:30pm — 8:30pm
Georgetown Neighborhood Library
3260R St. NW, Washington, DC 20007

September 15, 5:30pm — 8:30pm
Regional Services Center-B-CC (Bethesda, MD)
4805 Edgemoor Lane
Bethesda, MD 20814

Image via Wikimedia user Jonathunder