FAA Approval of Noise Compatibility Program; John Glenn Columbus Internation Airport, Columbus, Ohio

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 73 (Thursday, April 16, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20559-20560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07454]



[[Page 20559]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


FAA Approval of Noise Compatibility Program; John Glenn Columbus 
Internation Airport, Columbus, Ohio

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its 
findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by the Columbus 
Regional Airport Authority for John Glenn Columbus International 
Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. (the Aviation Safety and 
Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR 
part 150. These findings are made in recognition of the description of 
Federal and nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 
(1980). On October 14, 2025 the FAA determined that the noise exposure 
maps submitted by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority under Part 
150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On April 10, 2026, 
the FAA approved the John Glenn Columbus International Airport noise 
compatibility program. Most of the recommendations of the program were 
approved.

DATES: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the John Glenn 
Columbus International Airport noise compatibility program is April 14, 
2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gordon Bowdell, Detroit Airports 
District Office, 11677 S Wayne Rd. Ste. 107, Romulus, Michigan 48174-
1412, Tel: 734-229-2900. Documents reflecting this FAA action may be 
reviewed at this same location.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA has given 
its overall approval to the noise compatibility program for John Glenn 
Columbus International Airport, effective April 14, 2026.
    Under section 47504 of the Act, an airport operator who has 
previously submitted a noise exposure map may submit to the FAA a noise 
compatibility program which sets forth the measures taken or proposed 
by the airport operator for the reduction of existing non-compatible 
land uses and prevention of additional non-compatible land uses within 
the area covered by the noise exposure maps. The Act requires such 
programs to be developed in consultation with interested and affected 
parties including local communities, government agencies, airport 
users, and FAA personnel.
    Each airport noise compatibility program developed in accordance 
with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 150 is a local program, 
not a Federal program. The FAA does not substitute its judgment for 
that of the airport proprietor with respect to which measures should be 
recommended for action. The FAA's approval or disapproval of FAR Part 
150 program recommendations is measured according to the standards 
expressed in Part 150 and the Act and is limited to the following 
determinations:
    a. The noise compatibility program was developed in accordance with 
the provisions and procedures of FAR Part 150;
    b. Program measures are reasonably consistent with achieving the 
goals of reducing existing non-compatible land uses around the airport 
and preventing the introduction of additional non-compatible land uses;
    c. Program measures would not create an undue burden on interstate 
or foreign commerce, unjustly discriminate against types or classes of 
aeronautical uses, violate the terms of airport grant agreements, or 
intrude into areas preempted by the Federal Government; and
    d. Program measures relating to the use of flight procedures can be 
implemented within the period covered by the program without derogating 
safety, adversely affecting the efficient use and management of the 
navigable airspace and air traffic control systems, or adversely 
affecting other powers and responsibilities of the Administrator 
prescribed by law.
    Specific limitations with respect to FAA's approval of an airport 
noise compatibility program are delineated in FAR Part 150, section 
150.5. Approval is not a determination concerning the acceptability of 
land uses under Federal, state, or local law. Approval does not by 
itself constitute an FAA implementing action. A request for Federal 
action or approval to implement specific noise compatibility measures 
may be required, and an FAA decision on the request may require an 
environmental assessment of the proposed action. Approval does not 
constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the 
implementation of the program nor a determination that all measures 
covered by the program are eligible for grant-in-aid funding from the 
FAA. Where federal funding is sought, requests for project grants must 
be submitted to the FAA Airports District Office in Romulus, Michigan.
    The Columbus Regional Airport Authority submitted to the FAA on 
June 26, 2025 the noise exposure maps, descriptions, and other 
documentation produced during the noise compatibility planning study 
conducted from 2018 through 2025. The John Glenn Columbus International 
Airport noise exposure maps were determined by FAA to be in compliance 
with applicable requirements on October 14, 2025. Notice of this 
determination was published in the Federal Register on Monday, December 
15, 2025 (FR Doc. 2025-22810).
    The John Glenn Columbus International Airport study contains a 
proposed noise compatibility program comprised of actions designed for 
phased implementation by airport management and adjacent jurisdictions 
from 2025 to 2029 and beyond. It was requested that the FAA evaluate 
and approve this material as a noise compatibility program as described 
in section 47504 of the Act. The FAA began its review of the program on 
October 14, 2025 and was required by a provision of the Act to approve 
or disapprove the program within 180 days (other than the use of new or 
modified flight procedures for noise control). Failure to approve or 
disapprove such program within the 180-day period shall be deemed to be 
an approval of such program.
    The submitted program contained 25 proposed actions for noise 
mitigation (on and/or off the airport, as applicable). The FAA 
completed its review and determined that the procedural and substantive 
requirements of the Act and FAR Part 150 have been satisfied. The 
overall program, therefore, was approved by the FAA effective April 10, 
2026.
    Outright approval was granted for all the specific applicable 
program elements. The FAA officially approves withdrawing Measure NA-2 
and Measure NA-8.
    These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of 
Approval signed by the Great Lakes Region, Airports Division Manager on 
April 10, 2026. The Record of Approval, as well as other evaluation 
materials and the documents comprising the submittal, are available for 
review at the FAA office listed above and at the administrative offices 
of the John Glenn Columbus International Airport. The Record of 
Approval also will be available on-line at http://www.faa.gov/arp/environmental/14cfr150/index14.cfm.

    Issued in Des Plaines, IL.


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    Dated: April 14, 2026.
James Gregory Keefer,
Director, Airports Division, Great Lakes Region.
[FR Doc. 2026-07454 Filed 4-15-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P