Cambridge, Somerville, Medford Officials Urge FAA, Massport to Change Flight Paths

Three Greater Boston cities inundated with Logan International Airport airplane noise are urging the Federal Aviation Administration and Massport to change flight paths.

Leaders in Cambridge, Somerville and Medford on Wednesday called on the FAA and Massport to “more equitably” disperse aircraft that depart Runway 33 Left — the runway that in recent years has launched piercing jet engine noise over these cities.

“Many residents of all three cities have been severely impacted by repetitive jet noise, often starting as early as 5 a.m. and continuing late into the night,” wrote Cambridge City Manager Louis DePasquale, Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone and Medford Mayor Stephanie Burke. “Normal, everyday life for these residents has been disrupted.

“We recognize that hyper-concentration of jet noise represents an emergent public health problem for people who live in our cities, especially those that live directly under the flight paths.”

The FAA launched new flight paths a few years ago, using state-of-the-art technology for more direct paths between airports — resulting in more efficient, accurate and safe routes.

This led to a concentration in certain areas, including these three cities. Frustrated residents hope the FAA returns to the old days with more dispersed flights.

“As leaders of our cities, we have the responsibility to ensure that the FAA changes the 33L departure procedure from one that unfairly and disproportionately exposes some citizens to one that geographically disperses noise in a fairer, more equitable way,” the cities’ leaders wrote.

In 2016, the FAA and Massport signed a memorandum of understanding to reduce overflight noise impacts from Logan.

“The FAA is working closely with Massport to address aviation noise concerns,” the FAA said in a statement Wednesday. “We are providing technical expertise and advice to Massport and MIT as they study options that may reduce noise for communities under the path for Runway 33 Left.”

A Massport spokeswoman said in a statement, “Logan is an urban airport. The FAA selects runways for safety primarily based on wind and weather. Since our runways point in all directions, flights go over many communities. Though aircraft noise has significantly been reduced with newer engine technology and with airlines flying more efficiently (more passengers on less flights), it continues to be a concern for communities.”

A “considerable amount of work” has been done on the MIT study, according to the spokeswoman. Once alternatives are finalized, the Massport Community Advisory Committee will make recommendations to Massport and the FAA.

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