March 19, 2001--

If your neighborhood has so far been lucky enough to avoid the noise from commercial jetliners, that may soon change. That's if a proposal becomes a reality.

The proposal is designed to ease air traffic congestion at the Salt Lake International Airport by spreading the noise over neighborhoods on the east side of Salt Lake Valley for awhile.

News Specialist John Daley has been investigating this issue and files this report.

For years jets coming into Salt Lake have lined up on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley.

But air travel is on the rise throughout the country. And as a result, Eyewitness News has learned officials here are considering changes that could bring more flights directly over the valley's east side.

7:00 pm. Salt Lake International Airport.

The planes are lined up three or four deep waiting for the green light in order to land.

With air travel booming, backups and delays on the ground and in the air are becoming more and more common.

Currently during busy times, commercial jets approach the airport's landing strips from the west side of the Salt Lake Valley, over the Great Salt Lake and the Oquirrh Mountains.

But Eyewitness News has learned that the Federal Aviation Administration is looking at increasing capacity at Salt Lake's airport by maximizing its air space.

Local air traffic controllers have been studying the possibility of adding new arrival routes that would take planes over the east side of the Salt Lake Valley to the south, and Davis County to the north.

By adding the east-side approaches, the plan would add flexibility and particularly ease congestion during peak travel times.

Reaction from local travelers highlights the tradeoffs. Some welcome improved service.

Joel Votaw/Draper Resident: "I THINK IF IT WOULD DECREASE THE TIME THAT THE FLIGHT WOULD BE, I THINK THAT'D BE FAVORABLE FOR EVERYBODY."

Maryann Snodgrass/Murray Resident: "IT'S A HARD ONE. I'D BE CONCERNED ABOUT NOISE, BUT IF YOU'VE GOT INCREASE CAPACITY, YOU'VE GOTTA DO SOMETHING."

While others worry about increased noise.

Stephenie Petty/Salt Lake City Resident: "YEAH, I WOULD BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE HELICOPTERS FLYING OVER TO THE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL. SO AIRPLANES FLYING OVER, I DON'T KNOW."

Scott Petty/Salt Lake City Resident: "I THINK IF IT WERE CONSTANT AND EVEN SOMEWHAT INFREQUENT IT WOULD BE BOTHERSOME. PROBABLY RATHER HAVE THEM OVER THE LAKE."

Now this is a very preliminary proposal. There'll no doubt be much more study of the issue.

The FAA in Seattle had no response to our request for a comment.

But it seems clear, with the growing demands on air travel these are the kinds of changes that'll be discussed here in Salt Lake and a variety of airports nationwide.