NEWPORT BEACH – The Federal Aviation Administration is holding virtual and in-person workshops to inform the public about its new nationwide air traffic control procedures and the possible impacts to John Wayne Airport and nearby communities.
Agency representatives are providing information and answering questions Thursday and Feb. 1 about proposed changes that are part of the Metroplex project.
The project is an FAA initiative to modernize air traffic control systems by shifting from a ground-based system to a satellite-based one at six major airports and 15 smaller ones in Southern California.
The flight path changes are expected to increase noise from aircraft departing JWA in certain neighborhoods and reduce the noise in others.
The FAA’s plan has come under fire from Newport Beach residents and city officials, who claim an environmental impact review was fast-tracked, only vague descriptions of the changes have been released and potential impacts have not been adequately reviewed.
Newport Beach officials have said the changes would result in flights flying down the middle of Upper Newport Bay, over Newport Dunes and across Balboa Island and the Peninsula.
The FAA project will allow air traffic controllers to create more direct routes and reduce the number of miles flown, according to the agency.
The first workshop on Thursday, from 6 to 7:15 p.m., will be available via online and by phone. Instructions on how to join the meeting are available at newportbeachca.gov.
A second meeting is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 1 at the OASIS Senior Center, 801 Narcissus Ave., in Corona del Mar.
Long Beach Airport and JWA will be discussed at both meetings. The first workshop will also discuss the Fullerton Municipal Airport, Torrance Airport and the Los Alamitos Airfield.
The effort will provide savings on fuel, reduce carbon emissions and will lead to fewer flight delays, according to the FAA. The project is being implemented through April.
In October, Newport Beach filed a lawsuit against the FAA over the planned changes. Laguna Beach and Orange County have also filed suits against the FAA.
Source: http://www.ocregister.com
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