Proposed Rule2025-20790
Amendment of Class D and Class E4 Airspace Over Wilkes-Barre, PA
Primary source
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Published
November 24, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to amend Class D and Class E4 airspace at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, Wilkes-Barre, PA, due to the currently designated airspace not properly containing instrument flight rule (IFR) operations, which require controlled airspace. This action also proposes to update the geographic coordinates of the airport and language related to the hours of operation of the air traffic control tower.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 224 (Monday, November 24, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 224 (Monday, November 24, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52901-52902]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-20790]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2025-5147; Airspace Docket No. 25-AEA-17]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class D and Class E4 Airspace Over Wilkes-Barre, PA
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class D and Class E4 airspace at
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, Wilkes-Barre, PA, due to
the currently designated airspace not properly containing instrument
flight rule (IFR) operations, which require controlled airspace. This
action also proposes to update the geographic coordinates of the
airport and language related to the hours of operation of the air
traffic control tower.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 8, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2025-5147 and
Airspace Docket No. 25-AEA-17 using any of the following methods:
* Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> and follow
the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.
* Mail: Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department of Transportation,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West Building Ground Floor,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
* Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in
Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except for Federal holidays.
* Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> at any time. Follow the online instructions for
accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of
the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except for Federal holidays.
FAA Order JO 7400.11K Airspace Designations and Reporting Points
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at <a href="http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/">www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/</a>. You may also contact the Rules and
Regulations Group, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration,
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; Telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc Ellerbee, Operations Support
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701
Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; Telephone: (404) 305-5589.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority for This Rulemaking
The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106,
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's
authority. This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described
in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that section,
the FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of
airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient
use of airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority,
as it would amend Class D and Class E4 airspace in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
Comments Invited
The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic,
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. The most
helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain
the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters
should submit only one time if comments are filed electronically, or
commenters should send only one copy of written comments if comments
are filed in writing.
The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before
the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed
after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light
of the comments it receives.
Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts
these comments, without edits, including any personal information the
commenter provides, to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>, as described in the system
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at
<a href="http://www.dot.gov/privacy">www.dot.gov/privacy</a>.
Availability of Rulemaking Documents
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the
internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. Recently published rulemaking
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at
<a href="http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/">www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/</a>.
You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any
comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets
Operations office (see ADDRESSES section for address, phone number, and
hours of operations). An informal docket may also be examined during
regular business hours at the office of the Eastern Service Center,
Federal Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Ave., College
Park, GA 30337.
[[Page 52902]]
Incorporation by Reference
Class D and Class E4 airspace designations are published in
paragraphs 5000 and 6004 of FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations
and Reporting Points, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1
on an annual basis. This document proposes to amend the current version
of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11K, dated August 4, 2025, and
effective September 15, 2025. These updates would be published in the
next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. FAA Order JO 7400.11K, which lists
Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and
reporting points, is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES
section of this document.
The Proposal
This action proposes an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 modifying the
Class D and Class E4 airspace for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International
Airport, Wilkes-Barre, PA. Controlled airspace is necessary for the
safety and management of IFR operations in the area for existing
instrument approach procedures.
This action proposes to amend the Class D airspace over Wilkes-
Barre, PA, by updating the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport
geographic coordinates and increasing the lateral boundary of the Class
D airspace from a 4.1-mile radius of the airport to a 4.2-mile radius
of the airport.
This action also proposes to amend the Class E4 airspace over
Wilkes-Barre, PA, by modifying the dimensions from the current
configuration to that airspace extending upward from the surface within
2 miles each side of a 033[deg] bearing from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
International Airport extending from the 4.2-mile radius to 9.4 miles
northeast of the airport, and within 1 mile either side of a 214[deg]
bearing from the airport extending from the 4.2-mile radius to 7.3
miles southwest of the airport. This reconfiguration will properly
contain the currently published standard instrument approach
procedures.
This action also proposes to remove the language in the Wilkes-
Barre, PA, Class E4 Airspace legal description that indicates a part-
time status, as the control tower is in operation 24 hours a day.
Regulatory Notices and Analyses
The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current.
It, therefore, (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under
Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3) does not warrant preparation
of a regulatory evaluation as the anticipated impact is so minimal.
Since this is a routine matter that will only affect air traffic
procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this proposed rule,
when promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Environmental Review
This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1G, ``FAA National Environmental Policy
Act Implementing Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.
Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
The Proposed Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows:
PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS
0
1. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O.
10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order JO
7400.11K, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 4,
2025, and effective September 15, 2025, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.
* * * * *
AEA PA D Wilkes-Barre, PA [Amended]
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, PA
(Lat. 41[deg]20'19'' N, long. 75[deg]43'24'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
3,500 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
International Airport.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Designated as an Extension to a
Class D Surface Area.
* * * * *
AEA PA E4 Wilkes-Barre, PA [Amended]
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, PA
(Lat. 41[deg]20'19'' N, long 75[deg]43'24'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface within 2 miles
each side of a 033[deg] bearing from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
International Airport extending from the 4.2-mile radius to 9.4
miles northeast of the airport, and within 1 mile either side of a
214[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 4.2-mile radius
to 7.3 miles southwest of the airport.
* * * * *
Issued in College Park, Georgia, on November 20, 2025.
Patrick Young,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team North, Eastern Service Center, Air
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2025-20790 Filed 11-21-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on November 24, 2025.
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