FAA flight changes continue to affect residents

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Residents that have lived in south Charlotte for decades told Channel 9 that they have recently noticed more planes flying closer to their homes than ever before.

“It can be very annoying,” said south Charlotte resident Pat Tray.

People who live near Charlotte Douglas International Airport said the increased concentration of air traffic over their homes since 2015 is keeping them up at night.

“I know of people in our group that have been here decades, retired now, used to love to enjoy their outdoor area and now they can't because of persistent and constant noise,” said resident John Garrett.

The Federal Aviation Administration has made major changes to flight paths over the last several years.

A spokesperson said the FAA held three public meetings and took public comments before changing flight procedures for Charlotte Douglas Airport in 2015 and 2016.

“They concentrated arrival rails over narrow area from downtown through south Charlotte, so you get a consistent aircraft descending over your head all day long,” said Garrett.

The FAA sent a statement to Channel 9 on Thursday, saying, "CLT is the sixth busiest airport in the country."

Residents are scheduled to meet on Thursday evening to talk about their plan for change.

“I'd like to see less traffic over our houses,” said Tray.

Residents are asking that all concerned residents attend the meeting and help them fight back.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at Sharon Road Presbyterian Church.

Statement from FAA:

"The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted an environmental assessment (EA) before implementing new flight procedures for Charlotte Douglas International Airport in 2015 and 2016.   As part of the EA, we held three public meetings in December 2014 and January 2015, and we accepted comments from the public.  We considered the public comments that we received before finalizing the EA. We also held three more public meetings in Spring and Summer 2016, as we were putting the procedures in place." 

"The FAA encouraged Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to establish the Airport Community Roundtable (ACR) to give communities the opportunity to discuss aircraft noise concerns and to work together to make recommendations for the FAA to consider. The FAA is a technical advisor to the roundtable.  Here’s a web link to information about the roundtable. Here’s a link to the FAA’s community involvement webpage."

Statement from Charlotte Douglas International Airport: 

"In response to your second question, CLT and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) formed the Airport Community Roundtable (ACR) in 2017, a citizen advisory/work group, to analyze current operating procedures at CLT and make, where possible, recommendations related to aircraft noise mitigation for the FAA to consider.  Here's is a link to the Airport’s website with further information regarding the ACR."

Cox Media Group