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Rich Grouse as FAA Moves to Reroute Jets
Residents of tony suburbs fight plan to decongest air traffic
By Dustin Lushing
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Posted Aug 12, 08 3:38 PM CDT
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(Newser)
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Wealthy Northeasterners are fighting FAA plans to decongest air traffic by rerouting jets, sending them over many upscale suburbs, reports USA Today. The FAA says it can cut delays by 20% and save airlines $285 million by fixing routes around New York and Philadelphia, but the rich and politically connected citizens of Greenwich, Westport, and other towns don't want to hear about it.
The feds are seeking to shift flights headed south toward New York about 25 miles to the east, crossing over southern Connecticut. "This is the single biggest choke point in the national system," one expert said of the area. "The FAA needs to be brought under control," said one anti-rerouting activist. Thirteen towns are suing to block the new routes.