Story ID: 
U.S. Lawmakers Question NE Airspace Redesign
By: AIN Staff
Caption: U.S.
Word Count: 171
U.S. 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. “I think there is a better plan out there,” Andrews stated. In addition, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has asked the FAA to conduct a public hearing for residents in Westchester County, N.Y. to voice their opinions on the redesign plan, which calls for flights to be rerouted over the county. In a letter to the FAA, Schumer said the plan could have “serious impacts on the quality of life” of Westchester residents.