Metroplex
ISSUE ON PAGE
Phoenix was one of 21 areas in the United States where the FAA initiated a Metroplex program. As a result of proactive advocacy in cooperation with community leaders and our federal delegation, FAA first suspended and then removed the PHX Metroplex from its work program. Current Metroplex cities and the FAA’s proposals for them can be reviewed at http://www.metroplexenvironmental.com/OAPM.HTML. Metroplex looks at the entire airspace and all airports that use the airspace, and examines how technology can be implemented to improve safety, efficiency, capacity, and environmental impacts.
On Nov. 4, 2016, at the urging of the City of Phoenix, both Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) and American Association of Airport Executives joined the City and other valley airports in requesting a comment period extension for the FAA’s draft update of the Community Involvement for Airport Planning Advisory Circular. See the letter.
On Nov. 2, 2016, the Airport Managers of Arizona sent a letter to the FAA asking for a comment period extension for the FAA’s draft update of the Community Involvement for Airport Planning Advisory Circular. This is an important policy update affecting Metroplex and other FAA initiatives that impact communities.
On Aug. 18, 2016, the FAA sent a letter responding to the Airport Managers of Arizona letter, and confirmed that the Phoenix Metroplex project has been suspended until the end of this year, and further, committed to community outreach and engagement once the project is reinitiated.
On June 15, 2016, the Airport Managers of Arizona sent a letter to the FAA asking for a response or commitment to stop designing new routes until community meetings have been held; for a public involvement plan for the Phoenix Metroplex EA; and to utilize alternative noise and emission impact metrics.
On Jan. 20, 2016, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority received a letter from the FAA in response concerns and questions raised regarding the Authority's inclusion in the Phoenix Metroplex planning process.
On Dec. 24, 2015, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns received a letter from the FAA responding to the League’s letter (of October 12, 2015) strongly encouraging the FAA Metroplex project engagement and inclusion of local communities and municipal leadership. The FAA’s response letter acknowledges the need for better community coordination and specifically notes a delay of the Metroplex project so that additional outreach measures can be developed.
On Dec. 3, 2015, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority sent a letter to the FAA in response to a meeting held between the FAA and the contracted Phoenix-Mesa Gateway tower manager. This meeting was to discuss modifications to the Gateway northbound and southbound departures related to the Metroplex process. The letter to the FAA and meeting minutes are included.
On Oct. 29, 2015, the city met with the airlines and the FAA at Sky Harbor to request any voluntary measures that could be taken to give the community relief from aircraft noise. That meeting was followed up by a letter from the city confirming in writing what was asked in the meeting see 11-2 City letter. On Nov. 25, the airlines responded with a letter back to the City see 11-25 airline letter. On Dec. 10, the City responded and asked again for voluntary measures see 11-25 airline letter
On Oct. 12, 2015, the League of Cities sent a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.
On July 22, 2015, the directors of Arizona airports located within the FAA’s Phoenix Metroplex Project area sent this letter to the FAA following up on requests that were made in a previous letter sent to the FAA April 23, 2015.
On May 8, 2015, the FAA sent an email in response to the Aviation Department's comments.
On April 27, 2015 the City of Phoenix Aviation Department submitted a detailed response and comments on the PHX Metroplex project to the FAA, along with information and comments the department had collected from the public since September 2014.
Numerous other agencies and jurisdictions also submitted comments on the PHX Metroplex project to the FAA:
On May 14, 2015, the Phoenix Water Services Director sent comments on the PHX Metroplex project to the FAA.
The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Director sent comments on the PHX Metroplex project to the FAA on April 23, 2015.
The President of the Arizona Airports Association sent comments on the PHX Metroplex project to the FAA on April 23, 2015.
The Phoenix Historic Preservation Officer and City Archaeologist sent comments on the PHX Metroplex project to the FAA on April 23, 2015.
The Arizona State Historic Preservation Office sent comments on the PHX Metroplex project to the FAA on April 8, 2015.
The Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport Director sent comments on the PHX Metroplex project to the FAA on April 22, 2015.
The President/CEO of the Tucson Airport Authority sent comments on the PHX Metroplex project to the FAA on April 22, 2015.
The Scottsdale Airport Director sent comments on the PHX Metroplex project to the FAA on April 24, 2015.
The City of Glendale sent comments on the PHX Metroplex project to the FAA on April 23, 2015
The Queen Creek Town Manager sent comments on the PHX Metroplex project to the FAA on April 21, 2015.
On April 21, 2015 the City of Tempe sent out this press release encouraging residents to provide input.
On April 16, 2015 the Mayor of Gilbert sent comments on the PHX Metroplex project to the FAA.
On April 23, 2015, nine Arizona airport directors sent this letter to the FAA with formal requests regarding the Phoenix Metroplex Project.
On March 27, 2015, the FAA sent two letters (Letter 1 and Letter 2) to the Phoenix Aviation Department notifying the City of Phoenix of this process. The FAA also placed this ad in the Arizona Republic.
On Jan. 23, 2015, the Phoenix Aviation Department sent a letter to the FAA formally requesting that the FAA conduct community outreach in preparation for its Metroplex study.