The United States Air Force (USAF) 3rd Wing, located at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), is in the process of extending Elmendorf Air Force Base Airport (EDF) Runway (RWY) 16/34 by 2,500 feet to the north. Once the runway extension is complete, they intend to install an Instrument Landing System (ILS) to EDF RWY 16 and designate it as the primary arrival runway. The goal is to improve aircraft safety and operational efficiency, thus enabling better preparedness to meet national security requirements.

The USAF asked the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to perform a feasibility study to determine if the proposed changes at EDF would be practicable in the Anchorage Terminal Area. The study, called the Anchorage Terminal Area Airspace and Procedures Study (ATAAPS), found that while beneficial, the proposed changes would cause air traffic delays to all airports within the Anchorage terminal airspace. The study, completed in April 2022, identified several mitigations that could be developed and/or implemented to reduce the potential for adverse effects. 

Due to known traffic flow dependencies at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), Merrill Field Airport (MRI), and EDF, delays would adversely affect all users in the region. To address these concerns, the FAA is now examining potential redesigns of the Anchorage terminal airspace. This effort will include reviews of the following: 

• Instrument approach procedures at EDF, ANC, and MRI.
• Air traffic flows into and out of local terminal airspace.
• Class C and Class D airspace designs, which are airspace classifications that are dictated by the complexity or density of aircraft movements the nature of the operations conducted within the airspace. 
• Incorporating EDF’s ILS and the request to use RWY 16 as the primary arrival runway. 
• Part 93 airspace, which prescribes special flight rules for aircraft operating in the Anchorage Alaska Terminal Area.

In compliance with FAA Order JO 7400.2P, Section 14.2.3, an Ad Hoc Committee will be convened to provide users an opportunity to offer input and recommendations on proposed Class C airspace designs or modifications. The FAA has requested the Alaska Department of Transportation to lead the formation of this committee. Once formed, the committee will establish a timeline to complete its tasks.

Proposed designs will only be shared through the Ad Hoc Committee process. Per FAA Order JO 7400.2P, Section 5, the public’s first opportunity to review the proposed redesign and provide feedback will occur during Informal Airspace Meetings held after the committee concludes its work.

We encourage you to monitor media outlets and local news networks for updates and announcements from the committee chair.

Please continue to monitor this webpage for additional or updated information regarding the project. Questions can be submitted by email to 9-AJO-ATAAPS-Airspace@faa.gov.