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Petition for Review of Agency Order: Vashon Island Fair Skies v. Federal Aviation Administration

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Vashon Island Fair Skies

Vashon Island Fair Skies (VIFS), a Washington nonprofit representing residents affected by aircraft noise, has filed a petition in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals challenging a September 2025 FAA decision approving near-term expansion projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The group argues that the FAA's environmental review failed to adequately address the significant noise impacts on Vashon and Maury Islands resulting from concentrated, low-altitude flight paths introduced under the FAA's NextGen navigation program. VIFS has been actively opposing these flight path changes since 2018, when new Performance-Based Navigation procedures began routing more aircraft directly over the islands at lower altitudes.

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Petition for Review filed November 21, 2025, by Vashon Island Fair Skies (VIFS), a Washington nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation based on Vashon Island, against the Federal Aviation Administration, Administrator Bryan Bedford, U.S. Department of Transportation, and Secretary Sean Duffy in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Case No. 25-7373). VIFS challenges the FAA’s September 24, 2025, Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision (FONSI/ROD) for the Sustainable Airport Master Plan Near-Term Projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA/KSEA). Filed pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 46110, FRAP Rule 15(a), and Circuit Rule 15-1. VIFS was formed in 2018 in response to PBN/NextGen Greener Skies implementation at KSEA concentrating and lowering arrival flight paths over Vashon and Maury Islands. Attorney of record: Steven M. Taber, Leech Tishman Nelson Hardiman, Inc., Pasadena, California.

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