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Neighbors have filed more than 27,000 airplane noise complaints so far this year

By Briana Harper
By Briana Harper

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Neighbors near the Charlotte Douglas International Airport have complained about airplane noise for years.

More than 27,000 complaints were filed in 2019 alone.

On a cloudy day, people might not be able to see the airplanes in the sky, but they can certainly hear them.

[LINK: Charlotte Douglas noise complaint information]

Neighbors in south Charlotte said the sound has become their new normal.

"You just get used to it," said neighbor Jeff Morano.

Many others don't entirely agree.

Channel 9 tracked noise complaints for this year and found more than 27,000 complaints from about 200 different households.

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Some homeowners have actually automated their complaints by using a microphone on their roof. When a plane flies over, the microphone picks up the sound and sends out a complaint.

Morano has lived in a south Charlotte neighborhood for eight years. He said he’s has never filed a complaint himself, but knows plenty of people who have.

"I've never complained, and I've lived here for a while. I just think anywhere in the country, if you live near an airport, you're going to hear airplanes," said Morano. “Unless they fly a different way or try to avoid certain routes, someone is going to hear it.”

In recent years, the Federal Aviation Administration has changed flight paths.

Airport officials are also considering bids for companies to help track flights to give people more information about airplane noise issues.

The airport director has said before that the goal is to continue to work with the community on the noise issue.

"Charlotte is a great place and as more people move here, you're going to hear more noise and people just have to realize that," said Morano.

Airport noise has cost the city of Charlotte in the past. The airport opened a new runway in 2010 that created more overhead traffic and noise for neighbors.

After six years of fighting in court, the city bought six homes and paid 40 other homeowners a total of $1.5 million for the negative impact on their property values.

Anyone who has noise complaints can submit them by phone or online.

Cox Media Group

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