Airspace Redesign Could Put More Planes Over NJ
NEW YORK (1010 WINS/ WCBS 880/CBS 2) -- The Federal Aviation Administration is looking to redesign the region's airspace in hopes of alleviating congestion and long delays at area airports.
But what it means, says FAA spokeswoman Arlene Salac, is hundreds of more planes, mostly from John F. Kennedy International Airport, will be flying over the Garden State.
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"It's not going to be flights that are flying low over New Jersey," Salac told 1010 WINS. "People may not even notice the additional flights."
Salac said the new flights would be anywhere between 10,000 and 17,000 feet.
The redesign, which has been a part of a decade-long process, could go into effect as early as this spring.
"We've studied this for a number of years to look at different options that would give us the most flexibility with having the three major airports so close together," Salac said.
She added that the metropolitan airports remain among the highest for delays in the country.
"The redesign is part of one of the tools that the agency is using to increase efficiency and reduce delays," Salac said.
Residents stress the skies are already clogged over Central and North Jersey with flights in and out of Newark Liberty Airport.
"The way it is now anytime I look over my house you got six planes within eyeshot," Michael, from Rutherford, said. "Any more than that I can't imagine."
The redesign could put more planes over populated areas raising concerns about noise levels and safety.
With all the traffic above, Michelle, from Clifton, fears the worst.
"We're all still just a little bit scared," she said. "When we see the planes low we're thinking that it could be a terrorist attack."
