FAA

Federal Judge Rejects Boulder’s Challenge to FAA Over Airport Closure Plans

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A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Boulder, Colorado, challenging the Federal Aviation Administration’s authority regarding the potential closure of the city’s municipal airport. The ruling comes as part of an ongoing discussion about the future of aviation operations in the area and the local government’s role in influencing federal regulations concerning airports. Boulder’s lawsuit aimed to prevent the FAA from moving forward with plans that could lead to the airport’s closure. City officials argued that the airport is crucial not only for local transportation but also for various economic activities and community … Read more

New Litigation Spotlights Norfolk Southern in Ohio Derailment Case as FAA and Wyndham Hotels Also Face Legal Challenges

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Columbus, Ohio – More than 700 East Palestine, Ohio, residents have filed a lawsuit, targeting Norfolk Southern and several government bodies over a 2020 train derailment that unleashed a toxic chemical release. This action comes shortly after a federal judge in Ohio approved a $600 million class action settlement with Norfolk concerning the incident, which involved a defective wheel bearing and a subsequent controlled burn of vinyl chloride from rail cars. The plaintiffs in the recent lawsuit, filed in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, include numerous parties that had previously opted out of the … Read more

Top Aviation Lawyer Endorses Trump’s Move to Scrap FAA Diversity Initiatives, Citing Safety Concerns

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Washington, D.C. — A recent directive from President Donald Trump, calling for an end to diversity-focused hiring practices within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has sparked a mix of approbation and controversy. In his recent push against what he termed “illegal and dangerous” practices, Trump seeks to shift federal employment policies towards a merit-based system, claiming that hiring should focus solely on safety, qualifications, and competence. Legal perspectives, such as that from noted aviation attorney Erin Applebaum, support the decision, emphasizing the critical nature of aviation safety where there is no margin for error. Applebaum … Read more

FAA Insists Boulder Keep Municipal Airport Open, Cites Decades-Old Federal Funding Agreements

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BOULDER, Colo. – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has intensified its legal stance, insisting that Boulder City must keep its municipal airport operational indefinitely, due to agreements tied to federal funding received in the past. This development comes as the FAA filed a dismissal motion on Nov. 1, opposing Boulder’s lawsuit which challenges this mandate and seeks to potentially close Boulder Municipal Airport by 2040. The crux of the dispute hinges on whether the acceptance of federal grants by Boulder decades ago obligates the city to maintain the airport’s operations indefinitely. This question emerged from … Read more