New flight patterns aim to cut noise over more Charlotte neighborhoods

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte residents will be able to learn more Thursday night about changes at Charlotte Douglas International Airport that could affect the planes heard over surrounding neighborhoods.

The new procedures also aim to cut the time planes spend in the air and on the runway. The changes impact how flights take off at the airport and could end up saving travelers money.

The Federal Aviation Administration is overhauling the routes planes take after leaving the airport.

Last October, air traffic controllers widened the path for departing flights to fly to the southwest. That resulted in more noise from planes in the Chapel Grove and Santuary neighborhoods near Lake Wylie.

There could be some relief in the coming months though -- the FAA is planning to widen the path for departing flights to fly to the southeast, which will hopefully reduce the noise and traffic over more neighborhoods.

According to the FAA, the new flight patterns and technology will save time for passengers, and more than $9 million.

The goal is for all of the changes to be in place by July.

Thursday’s meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the Charlotte Police and Fire Training Academy.

Cox Media Group