FAA Proposes Airspace Updates Near Ketchikan Airport
Published Date: 12/30/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to change the airspace rules around Ketchikan International Airport in Alaska to make flying safer and smoother, especially for pilots using instruments. These changes affect pilots and air traffic controllers and won’t cost anyone extra. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until February 13, 2026, to speak up!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Expanded Class E5 Airspace Around Ketchikan
If you fly under instruments into or out of Ketchikan International Airport, the FAA proposes expanding the Class E airspace that begins at 700 feet above the surface. The proposal would set a 4.3-mile radius around the airport, expand the northwest area about 3 miles and lengthen it about 10 miles, and expand the southeast area about 2 miles and lengthen it about 1 mile with a ~10° south reorientation to better contain arriving and departing IFR procedures.
No Expansion of Class E Surface Area (Keeps VFR Access)
The FAA proposes not to expand the Class E surface area at Ketchikan because expansion would create radio blind spots and could block visual flight rule (VFR) access to Ward's Cove and Ketchikan's City Center. The airport will continue to rely on Special Air Traffic Rules (14 CFR part 93 Subpart M), Special VFR procedures, instrument procedures, and visual checkpoints instead, and the FAA states the change will not cost anyone extra.
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