FAA Updates Southwest Flight Routes T-306 and T-647
Published Date: 5/22/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA is updating flight routes in the Southwest to make flying safer and smoother. They’re changing Route T-306 by cutting part of it and extending another, plus creating a brand-new Route T-647. These changes help reduce traffic conflicts for pilots and take effect after July 6, 2026, with no extra costs for travelers.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
T-306 Shortened and Rerouted West
The FAA proposes to remove the T-306 route segment between Blythe, CA VORTAC and El Paso, TX VORTAC and to extend T-306 from Blythe VORTAC to HUPUP, AZ waypoint. The change routes T-306 air traffic to the west of Phoenix (PHX) Class B airspace to relieve areas with high VFR and IFR traffic that have produced conflict alerts and pilot deviations.
New RNAV Route T-647 Established
The FAA proposes to establish RNAV Route T-647 between El Paso, TX (ELP) VORTAC and Drake, AZ (DRK) VORTAC to circumnavigate VOR Federal Airway V-105. T-647 will redirect IFR traffic away from published holds and bypass Phoenix (PXR) VORTAC, improve radio reception for air traffic control, and provide vertical and lateral separation from Phoenix arrivals.
Operators Face De Minimis Rerouting Costs
The FAA states the proposal is expected to result in, at most, de minimis costs from compliance or minor flight rerouting for operators who choose to navigate around controlled airspace. The FAA also certifies the proposal will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
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Key Dates
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