SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority for This Rulemaking

The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority. This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that section, the FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of the airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient use of airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority as it would amend the airway structure as necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National Airspace System.

Comments Invited

The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters should submit only one time if comments are filed electronically, or commenters should send only one copy of written comments if comments are filed in writing.

The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light of the comments it receives.

Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/​privacy.

Availability of Rulemaking Documents

An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the internet at www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at www.faa.gov/​air_​traffic/​publications/​airspace_​amendments/​.

You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets Operations office (see ADDRESSES section for address, phone number, and hours of operations). An informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at the office of the Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

Incorporation by Reference

Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004 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. This document proposes to amend the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11M, dated July 30, 2026, and effective September 15, 2026. These updates would be published in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. FAA Order JO 7400.11M, which lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points, is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document.

The Proposal

The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend Jet Route J-21 in the vicinity of Laredo, TX. This amendment would straighten J-21's ground track and eliminate the 1.47-degree turn that exists at the international boundary between the United States and Mexico, the current airway intersection, and will improve efficiency.

J-21: J-21 currently extends between the intersection of the United States/Mexican border and the Laredo, TX, Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR)/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) 172° (T) radial, and the Duluth, MN, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME), via the Laredo, TX, VORTAC; San Antonio, TX, VORTAC; Centex, TX, VORTAC; Waco, TX, VORTAC; Ranger, TX, VORTAC; Ardmore, OK, VORTAC; Will Rogers, OK, VORTAC; Wichita, KS, VORTAC; Omaha, IA, VORTAC; and Gopher, MN, VORTAC.

The FAA proposes to amend the southern segment of J-21 by adjusting the Laredo VORTAC radial defining the route to the United States/Mexican border from the current 163° (M)/172° (T) radial (TTXOX, Waypoint (WP)) to the 165° (M)/174° (T) radial (DAPUN, WP). As a result, the new airway intersection at the United States/Mexican border would shift from the TTXOX, WP to the newly designated DAPUN, WP, located 0.93 nautical miles southwest of the existing border intersection. This amendment would eliminate an unnecessary 1.47-degree turn where the Mexican segment of J-21 (charted between Ciudad Victoria, Mexico, and the United States/Mexican border) joins the United States segment (charted between the United States/Mexican border and Laredo, TX), thereby straightening the ground track and improving airway efficiency. The remainder of the route would remain unchanged.

As amended, J-21 would extend between the intersection of the United States/Mexican border and the Laredo, TX, 165° (M)/174° (T) radial (DAPUN, WP), and the Duluth, MN, VOR/DME, via the Laredo, TX, VORTAC; San Antonio, TX, VORTAC; Centex, TX, VORTAC; Waco, TX, VORTAC; Ranger, TX, VORTAC; Ardmore, OK, VORTAC; Will Rogers, OK, VORTAC; Wichita, KS, ( printed page 72823) VORTAC; Omaha, IA, VORTAC; and Gopher, MN, VORTAC.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. It, therefore: (1) is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a “significant rule” under DOT Order 2100.6B, “Rulemaking and Guidance Procedure” (March 10, 2025); and (3) is expected to result in, at most, de minimis costs from compliance with applicable operating requirements or minor flight rerouting for operators choosing to navigate around the controlled airspace. Since these proposed amendments are routine and the expected impact to operators is de minimis, the FAA certifies that this proposed rule, when promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1G, “ FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures” prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

The Proposed Amendment

In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

1. The authority citation for 14 CFR Part 71 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order JO 7400.11M, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 30, 2026, and effective September 15, 2026, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.

J-21 [Amended]

From INT of the United States/Mexican border and the Laredo, TX, 174° (T) radial; Laredo, TX; San Antonio, TX; Centex, TX; Waco, TX; Ranger, TX; Ardmore, OK; Will Rogers, OK; Wichita, KS; Omaha, IA; Gopher, MN; to Duluth, MN.

91 FR 72821