AG, governor sue FAA

Increased air traffic and larger holding patterns are at the heart of a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Gov. M. Jodi Rell against the Federal Aviation Administration. Blumenthal and Rell sued the FAA in an attempt to block new flight paths that route large planes flying low over the southwestern portion of the state, claiming environmental damage to the region. The suit was filed on behalf of the Department of Environmental Protection. Rell called an increase in air traffic and holding patterns over Fairfield County “unacceptable.” Noise and property tax issues for residents are also factors in the law suit. Blumenthal is requesting that the FAA revise take off and landing angles, altitudes and nighttime flights.