Airway Route Changes Effective Date Delay
Summary
This action delays the effective date of a final rule published in the Federal Register on December 9, 2024, amending Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-68, V-212, and V-222, and United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-220; and revoking VOR Federal Airway V-558. The FAA is delaying the effective date to allow sufficient time for completing the update and flight inspection of a Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) instrument procedure into George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport, TX, that failed the initial flight inspection and a STAR instrument procedure into San Antonio International Airport, TX, that also failed the initial flight inspection. The STARs are being amended in support of the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Industry, TX (IDU), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC).
Compliance Requirements
- #1
The effective date of the final rule published on December 9, 2024, (89 FR 97510) is delayed from February 20, 2025, to April 17, 2025.; The rule amending VOR Federal Airways V-68, V-212, and V-222, and United States RNAV Route T-220; and revoking VOR Federal Airway V-558 is delayed to coincide with April 17, 2025.; VOR Federal Airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) and United States Area Navigation Routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis.
Deadline: 2025-04-17(April 17, 2025)
Market Impacts
Delay in implementation of VOR Federal Airways amendments and RNAV Route changes due to failed flight inspections of STAR procedures, maintaining current airspace configuration until new effective date; Mandatory completion of update and flight inspection for STAR instrument procedures into George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport and San Antonio International Airport; Temporary barrier to implementation of planned VOR decommissioning and RNAV route enhancements, delaying modernization of navigation infrastructure
Estimated Monetary Impact
Basis: The regulation only delays the effective date of airspace changes from February 20, 2025 to April 17, 2025 due to flight inspection delays for STAR procedures. No monetary costs, penalties, or economic impacts are mentioned in the document. This is purely an administrative delay with no substantive changes to requirements or compliance obligations.; Action items: No action items to analyzeConfidence: 10%
Small Companies
< $10M
Costs
Implementation: $0
Ongoing/yr: $0
Penalties: $0
Benefits
Efficiency: $0
New Revenue: $0
Risk Reduction: $0
Net Impact: $0/yr
Medium Companies
$10M - $100M
Costs
Implementation: $0
Ongoing/yr: $0
Penalties: $0
Benefits
Efficiency: $0
New Revenue: $0
Risk Reduction: $0
Net Impact: $0/yr
Large Companies
> $100M
Costs
Implementation: $0
Ongoing/yr: $0
Penalties: $0
Benefits
Efficiency: $0
New Revenue: $0
Risk Reduction: $0
Net Impact: $0/yr
Validated Company Impacts
DELTA AIR LINES, INC.
Delta Air Lines operates as a major airline providing scheduled air transportation, directly falling under the airspace users and airlines affected by this rule. The company's flight operations in the Houston and San Antonio regions would be directly impacted by the VOR airway amendments and RNAV route changes, requiring adjustments to flight planning and navigation procedures.
FEDEX CORP
FedEx operates a massive global air cargo network with extensive flight operations that would be directly affected by changes to VOR Federal Airways and RNAV routes in the Texas region. As a major airspace user with flights operating through Houston and San Antonio airspace, the company's flight planning, navigation systems, and operational procedures would be impacted by these airway amendments and delays.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO
Southwest Airlines operates as a major passenger airline providing scheduled air transportation throughout the United States, directly using the affected airspace and navigation routes. The company's flight operations would be immediately impacted by changes to VOR Federal Airways and RNAV routes, requiring adjustments to flight planning, navigation procedures, and compliance with FAA airspace regulations.
United Airlines Holdings, Inc.
United Airlines operates as a major airline that would directly use the affected VOR Federal Airways and RNAV routes in Texas airspace for flight operations between major hubs. The rule's delay impacts flight planning, navigation procedures, and operational timelines for airlines operating in the Houston and San Antonio regions where United conducts regular flights.