In December 1983, the FAA completed an aeronautical study of a proposal by the Port of Seattle to eliminate the 'right-turn' departure route for eastbound turbojet aircraft leaving Sea-Tac Airport (Runway 34) during daytime hours. The study found that removing this route would simply shift aircraft noise to other communities, increase airline operating costs by an estimated $1.5 million annually, and raise fuel consumption, without providing a net noise reduction benefit. As a result, the Port of Seattle withdrew its proposal and the FAA declined to eliminate the existing noise abatement route.Open full document
Notes
The FAA completed aeronautical study 83-ANM-181-NR reviewing the Port of Seattle’s recommendation to eliminate the ‘right-turn’ route for east/southeastbound turbojet aircraft departing Runway 34 during daytime hours. After public comment and review, the Port of Seattle withdrew its July 26, 1983 recommendation. The FAA determined that eliminating the route would increase use of other existing routes and proportionately increase community exposure to aircraft noise along those routes.