The Port of Seattle and six neighboring cities (SeaTac, Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, Tukwila, and Federal Way) submitted comments to the FAA in September 2023, urging updates to federal aviation noise policy in response to growing community concerns around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The letter highlights collaborative efforts already underway, including a Fly Quiet Program and Late-Night Noise Limitation Program, which have significantly reduced overnight flight activity on the runway closest to residential areas. The signatories call on the FAA to modernize its noise metrics, lower noise thresholds, and take a broader approach to reducing aircraft noise and emissions rather than simply measuring and disclosing them.Open full document
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The Port of Seattle and six surrounding cities (SeaTac, Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, Tukwila, and Federal Way) submit formal comments on the FAA’s review of civil aviation noise policy, focusing on noise metrics and thresholds. The letter highlights voluntary noise reduction achievements through the SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) and urges the FAA to consider updated noise metrics, broader aircraft type coverage, and continued collaboration. It also addresses community concerns about overnight noise, emissions, and the limitations of the current 65 DNL contour.