May 2023 Perimeter rule that limits long-haul flights at DCA is under attack

A new organization calling itself the Capital Access Alliance is urging Congress to eliminate the long-standing perimeter rule at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Doing so would allow unlimited long-haul flights to arrive and depart at DCA. Airplanes used for long-haul flights are significantly larger and heavier than those used for regional flights, therefore they produce more noise disturbance. Also they tend to depart in the early morning and arrive late at night because they are departing to or taking off from far-off destinations. This means the noise problems they create are even more impactful than the other 400+ arriving and 400+ departing flights per day at DCA, which already disturb the sleep and quality of life of many thousands of residents.

A typical aircraft used at DCA for direct, long-haul flights is the Boeing 737, which seats about 170 passengers. There are easily 40,000 to 50,000 people living under any given flight path within 10-15 nautical miles north or south of DCA. Each time a few hundred people enjoy the convenience of flying beyond the 1,250 mile perimeter, there are 200 to 300 times more people on the ground who would suffer the consequences.

The Montgomery County Quiet Skies Coalition has made clear our position that the DCA perimeter rule should not be altered, much less eliminated. Our Maryland Congressional delegation is aware of and supports our objections, and they have written a letter to other members of Congress stating their position that the perimeter rule at DCA should not be legislatively altered. Their letter is attached FYI.

What’s the alternative? That’s easy! Dulles International Airport was built and zoned specifically to accommodate larger, long-haul flights. Dulles currently operates under capacity. It makes much more sense to continue operating long-haul flights out of Dulles, and to keep them out of the skies over the densely populated areas of Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia where they cause environmental harm and human misery.