# 2026-01172: FAA Redraws Sky Lines Over Wilkes-Barre Airport

2026-01172, Amendment of Class D and Class E4 Airspace Over Wilkes-Barre, PA, is a Federal Register rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-01-22, effective 2026-05-14 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01172
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-01172
- Title: Amendment of Class D and Class E4 Airspace Over Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 2690
- Published: 2026-01-22
- Effective: 2026-05-14
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AA66
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

FAA Redraws Sky Lines Over Wilkes-Barre Airport

## Summary

The FAA is updating the airspace rules around Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport to better protect flights using instruments, making sure planes stay safe and sound. They’re also fixing the airport’s location info and clarifying tower operation hours. These changes kick in on May 14, 2026, with no extra costs for pilots or travelers.

## Abstract

This action amends Class D and Class E4 airspace at Wilkes- Barre/Scranton International Airport, Wilkes-Barre, PA, due to the currently designated airspace not properly containing instrument flight rule (IFR) operations, which require controlled airspace. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of the airport and language related to the hours of operation of the air traffic control tower within the airspace legal descriptions.

## Effects PRIA read

- Class D Radius Increased to 4.2 Miles: benefit, low. The FAA increases the Class D airspace around Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport from a 4.1-mile radius to a 4.2-mile radius to better contain instrument flight rule (IFR) procedures. This change is effective May 14, 2026.
- Class E4 Airspace Reconfigured to Contain IFR Procedures: benefit, low. The FAA reconfigures the Class E4 surface-area extensions at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport to: (1) extend upward from the surface within 2 miles each side of the 033° bearing from the 4.2-mile radius to 9.4 miles northeast, and (2) within 1 mile each side of the 214° bearing from the…
- Airport Coordinates and Tower Hours Updated: benefit, low. The FAA updates the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport geographic coordinates to Lat. 41°20'19" N, Long. 75°43'24" W and removes language indicating the Class E4 airspace was part-time because the control tower is in operation 24 hours a day.
- No Additional Costs for Pilots or Travelers: benefit, low. The rule states these airspace changes impose no extra costs for pilots or travelers and the FAA determined the anticipated economic impact is minimal. The final rule becomes effective May 14, 2026.

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## Sources
- [2026-01172 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/22/2026-01172/amendment-of-class-d-and-class-e4-airspace-over-wilkes-barre-pa)
- [2026-01172 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-22/pdf/2026-01172.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-01171, Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Ashland, Bucyrus, and Mansfield, OH](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01171)
- [Next: 2026-01180, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01180)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01172 (as of 2026-06-11).