A proposed bill would require the FAA to notify communities near airports about any changes in flight patterns.
U.S. Sens. Jeff Flake and John McCain, both Arizona Republicans, recently proposed legislation in response to the Federal Aviation Administration's failure to modify flight patterns to accommodate the communities and airports affected by flights in and out of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.
The proposed bill was triggered by an incident in September 2014, when the FAA failed to communicate with affected businesses and individuals despite altering the flight patterns from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.
Under the bill, the FAA would be required to collaborate with affected communities and airports prior to declaring any changes in flight patterns from the airport.
"While I continue to support efforts to improve the safety and efficiency of the national airspace system, it’s clear that the FAA would greatly benefit from working with relevant stakeholders before all major airspace changes go into effect," Flake said.
McCain said he believes that allowing affected communities and airports to have a say is crucial, and that their concerns should be heeded.