The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) moved forward on Friday with plans to change a flight path for planes leaving Lindbergh Field. But the decision is upsetting some Point Loma residents who say their concerns are being ignored.
“They haven't really listened or considered the general public or the people that live under these circumstances. It's loud,” said Point Loma resident Russ Valone.
The FAA says the new flight path will expand the number of entry and exit points into Southern California airspace and improve airspace safety and efficiency.
But residents told NBC 7 the flight path will add to noise pollution and impact the environment.
Opposition to the FAA’s proposed flight plan gained momentum last year. Since then, resident have been voicing their concerns.
According to the agency, that plan would have led to an increase in the number of flights traveling over Point Loma. However, Friday’s decision eliminates last year's proposal.
Local
The new departure flight path routes planes south of Point Loma, away from most neighborhoods in the area.
“This doesn’t solve all the problems related to flight noise for residents but it’s something the community and elected officials have been working together to achieve,” said San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox, who also serves on the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.
But Point Loma residents disagree.
“They're not concerned about the impact of the noise and pollution and I think they hired their own research company or their consultants. I think they've obtained the results they asked for,” said Richard Houston.
Russ Valone says when he moved to Point Loma in 2009, he knew what he was buying into because city leaders had already established a set flight departure plan
“You bought a home assuming the flight path was at the 275. Now with the flight path encroaching south, you now find yourself being impacted by planes and pollution noise much more so than you did when you first moved into this area,” Valone said.
The agency says it will continue to reach out to the community to inform residents about the changes. But as of now, it will phase in those changes starting in November.
