ABC15 Arizona

FAA proposal could change Valley flight routes

The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing new flight paths for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and nine other Valley airports, a move the agency says would improve safety and efficiency as it modernizes the nation's airspace system. But for many Phoenix residents, the proposal brings back memories of a contentious battle over aircraft noise that led to a federal lawsuit more than a decade ago. The FAA is currently reviewing new satellite-based flight procedures for airports across the Phoenix area. The agency says the changes are part of a broader effort to transition from ground-based navigation systems to satellite-based technology.