FAA Approves Laredo International Airport's Noise Compatibility Program Update

Strategic Insights -

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced its approval of the Noise Compatibility Program (NCP) Update submitted by the Laredo International Airport (LRD) for the Laredo International Airport. The Airport's NCP Update, which contains four land use measures and four administrative measures, was submitted to the FAA for review on March 14, 2025. After completing initial reviews, the FAA accepted the NCP Update and initiated the review process on April 3, 2025. The FAA's approval of the LRD NCP Update is effective as of July 28, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FAA approved the Laredo International Airport's Noise Compatibility Program Update on July 28, 2025, which contains eight proposed measures to address aviation noise and non-compatible land uses.
  • The NCP Update was submitted to the FAA on March 14, 2025, and the FAA initiated the formal review period on April 3, 2025.
  • The FAA completed its review and determined that the procedural and substantive requirements of 49 U.S.C. 47504 and 14 CFR part 150 were satisfied.
  • The FAA found that the eight proposed measures in the NCP Update were reasonably consistent with achieving the goals of reducing existing non-compatible land uses around the airport and preventing the introduction of additional non-compatible land uses.
  • The LRD NCP Update includes four land use measures and four administrative measures, which were approved by the FAA.
  • The specific program elements and their individual determinations are as follows:

+ Land Use Measure 1: Modify Overlay Zone--Approved.

+ Land Use Measure 2: Building Codes--Approved.

+ Land Use Measure 3: Sound Insulation and Eligibility--Approved.

+ Land Use Measure 4: Modify Noise Mitigation Program Area--Approved.

+ Administrative Measure 1: Noise Management Process--Approved.

+ Administrative Measure 2: Aircraft Operations and Flight Tracking System--Approved.

+ Administrative Measure 3: Update Noise Exposure Maps--Approved.

+ Administrative Measure 4: Update Noise Compatibility Program--Approved.

  • A Record of Approval for the overall program was issued by the FAA effective July 28, 2025.

Statistics:

  • 8 proposed measures to address aviation noise and non-compatible land uses
  • 4 land use measures:

+ Modify Overlay Zone

+ Building Codes

+ Sound Insulation and Eligibility

+ Modify Noise Mitigation Program Area

  • 4 administrative measures:

+ Noise Management Process

+ Aircraft Operations and Flight Tracking System

+ Update Noise Exposure Maps

+ Update Noise Compatibility Program

  • 180-day review period for the FAA to approve or disapprove the program
  • 60-day public review period for the NCP and its documentation

Sources:

  • Federal Register notice, "Notice of receipt and request for review of noise compatibility program," 90 FR 14680 (April 3, 2025)
  • Federal Register notice, "Noise Exposure Map Notice for Laredo International Airport, Laredo, Texas," 87 FR 55075 (September 8, 2022)