Beyond the Noise: The Airport Proprietor Exception and the Long Beach Airport Experience

This article addresses how the legal landscape has evolved for airports to regulate noise activity. Part one of discusses the federal role in regulating airport noise. Part two addresses the development of the airport proprietor exception as a legal pathway for airports to regulate airport noise. Part three provides a brief overview of the codification of the airport proprietor exception and the additional role that the federal government adopted with respect to regulating aviation noise. Part four addresses the legal action brought forth by airlines challenging the City of Long Beach airport’s restriction on flight operations. Part five will discuss the city’s Airport Noise Compatibility Ordinance. This section will also address how the city goes about enforcing its ordinance