FAA advances new air traffic procedures in Tampa-St. Pete area
October 26, 2020 - The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact-Record of Decision for the South-Central Florida Metroplex. That's the FAA's plan to modernize air traffic procedures for 21 airports in the southern half of the state, including at Tampa International Airport and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport. The decision lets the FAA move forward with new satellite-based procedures. The procedures create more direct routes, decrease congestion at airports and in the air, improve air traffic flows enhancing safety and efficiency, and make the system safer by reducing the complexity in communications between air traffic controllers and pilots, Michael O’Harra, regional administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration’s Southern Region, said previously. The changes only impact planes when they are flying at 10,000 feet or higher. The FAA plans to implement the new procedures in mid-2021. The FAA has posted the document and the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) on the Florida Metroplex Environmental website.