Buchalter was victorious when a federal appeals court recently found that the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) violated key environmental laws when it changed flight patterns for aircraft coming into Los Angeles International Airport. The changes were part of a larger national program of airspace changes known as FAA’s NextGen project aimed at reducing distances aircraft must fly on arrival to airports. The City of Los Angeles originally sued the FAA alleging the agency made changes to flight patterns with neither environmental review nor public input. The result is an almost unprecedented outcome for local governments against a federal agency acting within its area of expertise. In addition, this victory has national implications for communities all over the country who will suffer the same impact in the on-going NextGen program. The Buchalter team was led by Shareholder Barbara Lichman.
