Airplane Noise Community Meeting Set for Monday at Reagan National Airport

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Airplane noise driving you batty? The public is invited to a community meeting Monday at 6 p.m., to discuss noise from aircraft using Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the City of Alexandria announced Friday.

Residents will hear first-hand from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) officials regarding changes to the regional airspace, learn about potential solutions to aircraft noise and voice concerns directly to the FAA and MWAA.

The meeting, which will be held in the airport’s Historic Terminal A Lobby, will focus on recent changes to departure procedures for aircraft taking off to the south of the airport. Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg, Sen. Adam Ebbin, Del. Paul Krizek, and Fairfax County Supervisor Dan Stork will also participate.

Recognizing that nearby residents have recently experienced increased aircraft noise, MWAA formed a Community Noise Working Group in 2015. Members representing Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Washington, D.C., meet monthly with MWAA leadership and representatives from the FAA and American Airlines (the largest tenant airline at the airport) to review aircraft landing and departure noise and examine feasible solutions to minimize noise. As part of this group, the City strongly advocates to keep aircraft over the center of Potomac River as long as possible after takeoff and before landing.

Cities and counties do not have authority over civilian or military aircraft operations at the airport. The FAA implements legislation passed by Congress, which has increased the number of flights to and from the airport three times since 2000. MWAA assesses penalties of up to $5,000 per occurrence for airplanes that violate noise limits. Residents are encouraged to direct noise complaints to MWAA, using the form at www.flyreagan.com/dca/reagan-national-aircraft-noise-information.

Parking is available in the Terminal A Garage for $6 per hour. Attendees are encouraged to take Metro or carpool, since the garages can be busy due to summer travel.

PHOTO Reagan National Airport photo courtesy of MWAA