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News and Updates – FAA Launches Campaign to Encourage Air Traffic Controller Applications from Women, Minorities

Application window open July 30-Aug. 2.

News and Updates – FAA Issues Decision on LaGuardia AirTrain Environmental Review

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today issued its decision on the environmental review for the proposed construction of the LaGuardia Airport (LGA) AirTrain. This final step, referred to as the Record of Decision, allows the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to proceed with its proposal to construct a rail system to provide a reliable transit option for air travelers and employees at LGA. The Port Authority will now be able to submit a future application for funding under the Passenger Facility Charge program.

Port Authority has planned the AirTrain to connect LGA to the New York City Transit Subway 7 Line and the Long Island Rail Road Port Washington Branch at Mets-Willets Point. There will also be passenger walkways connecting to the LGA Central Hall, a parking garage connector, public transportation and ground transportation facilities.

The FAA held two virtual public workshops and three virtual public hearings in September 2020 on the draft environmental review. The meetings had a combined viewership of over 18,000 people, and the public provided over 4,200 comments. Participants were able to request interpreters for a variety of languages for all these meetings. The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was released on March 19, 2021 and contained responses to the comments received.

Eighteen different federal, state and local agencies have provided input throughout the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process based on their expertise and authorities.

The FAA prepared the environmental review because the Port Authority plans to request funding for the AirTrain through the Passenger Facility Charge program. The program allows for the collection of fees added to passenger tickets. Those proceeds can be used on certain qualifying airport projects, subject to FAA approval.

The FAA prepared the FEIS in accordance with theNational Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA),which requires the FAA to analyze alternatives and identify and disclose the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project. During the NEPA process, the FAA looked at 47 alternatives, more than half of which were identified by the public during the scoping process. These options were evaluated to see if they met the purpose and need of the proposed action and if they would be reasonable to construct and operate.

News and Updates – FAA to Host Northern California Airspace Workshops

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will host two virtual public workshops next week about the airspace in Northern California.

The workshops will be via Zoom and livestream on social media on Tuesday, July 20, and Wednesday, July 21. FAA representatives will explain how air traffic operates in one of the busiest and most complex segments of airspace in the U.S. We also will discuss our work to address key recommendations from the Select Committee on South Bay Arrivals and local community noise roundtables.

The workshops will include video and slide presentations followed by a live Q&Asession,during which representatives from the FAA, airlines and airports will answer the publics questions.

The July 20 workshop will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Pacific Time. The July 21 workshop will run from 1 to 3 p.m. Pacific Time.

You must register to attend the Zoom workshops. To register, and to get more information about the workshops, please visit this website. The FAA also will livestream the workshops on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube without a requirement to register.

News and Updates – FAA Launches “Zero Tolerance for Unruly and Dangerous Behavior” Toolkit

Digital products now available to promote safe passenger behavior and bring awareness to zero tolerance policy.

News and Updates – FAA Activates System to Track Space Launch, Reentry Vehicles

New capability increases the safety and efficiency of the national airspace system.