DCA South – Project Overview

Following the introduction of jet service at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in the 1960s, aircraft noise has been a growing concern among residents in surrounding areas. Annual operations have grown consistently, increasing noise impacts for communities surrounding DCA. And while DCA is an important transportation asset for the region, flights into and out of DCA result in high levels of aircraft noise impacting the quality of life for residents, particularly those situated along the Potomac River.

Vianair Consulting (formerly ABCx2) was hired in 2020 by Montgomery County, Maryland and Arlington County, Virginia to help identify strategies for reducing noise impacts for the communities north of DCA. Through a collaborative effort, which included the DCA Community Working Group (CWG), community representatives, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), Vianair recommended changes to the DCA airspace and DCA flight procedures . Some of the recommendations have been implemented. Others are still being reviewed and/or tested by the FAA. The result of these changes will be to reduce noise exposure for the communities north of DCA.

Following the success of the North of Airport project, the City of Alexandria, Fairfax County, and Price George’s County hired Vianair to conduct a similar effort on behalf of the communities south of DCA. This work will follow a similar model. However, the focus of this effort will be to reduce community impacts south of the airport.