FAA Proposes Safer Skies Over Anchorage—Comments Welcome
Published Date: 10/13/2026
Notice
Summary
The FAA is planning to update the airspace and flight paths around Anchorage to make flying safer and more efficient for several airports, including Ted Stevens Anchorage International and Elmendorf Air Force Base. They want your thoughts on their draft environmental report and will hold workshops soon. These changes could affect local flights and happen after public feedback, with no final decisions made yet.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Anchorage airspace boundaries reworked
The FAA proposes to change airspace boundaries in the Anchorage terminal area, including modifying Part 93 special air traffic rules, creating sub-areas of Class C airspace for Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), and changing Class D areas. The proposal would reduce the overall area of special air traffic rules and rename and remove some segments as part of the redesign.
RNAV-based arrival and departure updates
The FAA would update departure and arrival procedures using satellite-based area navigation (RNAV) and new SIDs/STARs to connect study airports to optimized high-altitude routes. The proposed RNAV procedures are described as advanced-capability routes meant to maintain safety and improve efficiency for pilots and controllers.
JBER capacity and ILS runway limitation
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) is currently restricted from operating at its intended capacity and fleet mix until the surrounding airspace is officially modified. The DEA states the Instrument Landing System (ILS) for Runway 17 is integral to improving JBER operations but cannot become operational under the current airspace design; runway designations are currently 16/34 and 06/24, and Runway 16/34 will be updated to Runway 17/35 due to magnetic variation before the Final Rule is complete.
No expected increase in flights or construction
The FAA states the Proposed Action is not anticipated to increase the number of aircraft operations at the study airports and will not involve physical construction of any facilities. The DEA focuses on procedural and airspace changes rather than building new infrastructure.
Noise evaluation rules and study area size
The FAA evaluated proposed procedure changes below 10,000 feet above ground level (AGL) in a General Study Area and evaluated potential noise impacts for locations below 18,000 feet AGL that include national parks, wildlife refuges, historic sites, and traditional cultural properties. The DEA notes high-altitude changes above 18,000 feet AGL are within an approximate 41,725-square-mile Study Area and are generally considered outside the affected environmental study area per FAA Order 1050.1G.
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