Rep. Gallego Passes FAA Amendment to FY' 16 THUD Appropriations Bill

Press Release

Rep. Congressman Ruben Gallego along with Rep. David Schweikert and Rep. Kyrsten Sinema passed an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2016 THUD Appropriations Bill that prevents the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from moving forward with redesigning the regional airspace while serious issues resulting from last September's changes to the flight paths at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) remain unresolved.

"Last September the FAA altered flight paths for aircrafts departing from Sky Harbor International Airport. The changes were made without meaningful input or consultation with community members or civic leaders in the Phoenix area, and have caused severe noise disruption for the citizens of Phoenix and lowered their quality of life," said Congressman Ruben Gallego. He added "This amendment will ensure that the FAA does not proceed with changes to the regional airspace until the issues in Phoenix are resolved. It will also set a precedent regarding aircraft noise and its impact on local communities, as the NextGen program moves forward across the nation."

"It is time the FAA works with local stakeholders in a meaningful manner, as equal partners, in order to mitigate the noise impact the new NextGen flight paths have caused on our communities," Said Schweikert. "By preventing the FAA from moving forward with the Phoenix MetroPlex program, this amendment ensures that the FAA is responsive to the citizens of Arizona whose lives have been disrupted by the flight path changes implemented at Phoenix Sky Harbor."

Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema said, "The current flight path disrupts our communities. Phoenix families and businesses should be included in major decision-making impacting their neighborhoods and lives. Our amendment requires the FAA to work with affected communities on a redesign plan that works for all Arizonans."

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