PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The Federal Aviation Administration wants to change flight paths at Sky Harbor Airport and nine other Valley airports, a move that could impact airlines and residents living beneath the routes jets follow during takeoff and landing.
The FAA is proposing satellite-based navigation, promising safer and more efficient flights. The agency is holding public comment sessions over the next two weeks on the proposed route changes. Any new routes would take effect next year.
History of flight path controversy
When the FAA changed flight paths at Sky Harbor in 2014, the move brought controversy and court hearings. The agency changed flight paths with no warning and no public input.
The city and historic neighborhoods responded by suing the federal government. A federal judge eventually ordered the FAA to restore the old flight paths.
Salvador Garcia lives in the F.Q. Story Historic District in downtown Phoenix. His neighborhood fought to get its quiet back.
“We don’t really hear the planes, we do see them from a distance,” Garcia said.
Garcia said having input matters.
“Having a say at the table to what happens to your community and what goes into your community that’s a huge impact,” he said.
New technology promises safety improvements
Cary Grant, an assistant professor of aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle, said the new technology will make flying safer for pilots, even if it comes at a price for some areas.
“The procedures guarantee that you will be clear of any obstacles that are out there,” Grant said.
He said the design of departures aims to get airplanes up safely and away from the airport as quickly as possible.
“I like to say that jet noise is the sound of freedom, but not everybody agrees with that,” Grant says. “I think that people have to understand that the design of the departures is to get the airplanes up safely and away from the airport as quickly as possible.”
Garcia said the planes look nice, but from a distance.
“In general, I think it looks nice from a distance,” he said.
The FAA is hosting 4 virtual public hearings regarding the possible changes to 10 airports around the Valley, including Sky Harbor.
- May 13, 2026 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PT) Location: Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) Register here
- May 14, 2026 (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM PT) Location: West Valley airports (Glendale, Goodyear, Buckeye) Register here
- May 19, 2026 (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM PT) Location: North Valley airports (Deer Valley, Scottsdale) Register here
- May 20, 2026 (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM PT) Location: East Valley airports (Falcon Field, Mesa Gateway, Chandler, Stellar Airpark) Register here
A ‘Noise Mapping Tool’ has also been created, where you can track the change in noise the updated flight paths, as proposed, would create.
Click/tap here to view the entire Draft Environmental Assessment documents the FAA has created for this project.
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