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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, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 12, 2008 3:38 PM CDT

(Newser) – 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.

Commercial jetliners are seen the tarmac at LaGuardia airport in New York in this June 23, 2006 file photo. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)

Airplanes line up for take-off on one of LaGuardia Airport's two runways in New York in this Nov. 24, 2004 file photo. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)

Passengers at Dublin Airport seen after flights in and out of the airport were severely disrupted after the air traffic control radar system broke down Wednesday July 9, 2008. (AP Photo)

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Rich Grouse as FAA Moves to Reroute Jets

Residents of tony suburbs fight plan to decongest air traffic

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Rich Grouse as FAA Moves to Reroute Jets

Residents of tony suburbs fight plan to decongest air traffic

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

New York City • FAA • Greenwich • Philadelphia • air traffic • Federal Aviation Administration • airplanes • Westport, Conn.

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

US Looks to Grant Drones Airspace—Next to Your Plane

Civilian law enforcement and others increasingly want flying robots

Congress OKs $63B to Update Air Control System

GPS technology will replace radar to control traffic

Coburn Holds FAA Hostage With One-Man Filibuster

Agency could face a second shutdown

Congress Goes Home Without Ending FAA Shutdown

GOP, Dems disagree about subsidizing service to rural airports

FAA Forced Into Partial Shutdown

Airport construction work halted across country

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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What is Newser?