Lawmakers Question NE Airspace Redesign

The FAA is confident that the New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia airspace redesign will reduce delays and allow the agency to meet system demands, but some U.S. lawmakers are questioning the redesign plans. Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.), chairman of the House aviation subcommittee, and Reps. Robert Andrews (D-N.J.) and Joe Sestak (D-Pa.) have urged the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study of the redesign plan to ensure that environmental, safety and cost issues are adequately taken into account, according to Gerald Dillingham of the GAO. In addition, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) asked the FAA to conduct a public hearing for residents in Westchester County, N.Y., to voice their opinions on the redesign plan, which he said could have “negative impacts on the quality of life” of county residents.