LOS ANGELES, CA— Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is spending $57,000 per residence on noise mitigation, backed by a substantial FAA grant aimed at addressing aircraft noise near the airport.
The move comes despite evidence that a large share of complaints may stem from just a few individuals repeatedly using automated tools to file thousands of noise reports.
Los Angeles Airport; Photo: Anglas | Goodcon.comLos Angeles Airport Noise Complaints
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently awarded $22.8 million to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to fund noise insulation improvements for 400 homes, averaging $57,000 per residence.
Similarly, San Diego International Airport (SAN) secured $15 million to mitigate noise for 250 households, amounting to $60,000 per home.
The FAA’s Airport Improvement Program allocates funds to airports nationwide to reduce the impact of aircraft noise on nearby communities.
These funds are often used for soundproof windows, insulation, and HVAC upgrades in affected homes. However, the efficiency and necessity of such large-scale spending are being questioned in light of the volume and source of complaints.
Photo: By InSapphoWeTrust from Los Angeles, California, USA – Alaska Airlines – N624AS, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24265779Automated Complaints Inflate Noise Data
Investigations have shown that many airport noise complaints originate from a handful of residents, and in some cases, just one person.
These individuals often use automated systems or mobile apps that repeatedly submit pre-written noise complaints with minimal user input.
Notable examples include:
- Washington National Airport (DCA): One person filed 6,852 complaints—78% of all complaints that year.
- Denver International Airport (DEN): Four individuals submitted 96% of all complaints in a year.
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO): Three Daly City residents lodged over 1,000 complaints in a month.
- Washington Dulles Airport (IAD): A single person made 84% of the complaints in one year.
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): A decade ago, three people filed 88% of all complaints—one individual alone accounted for half.
These patterns suggest that the total number of complaints may not accurately represent broader community dissatisfaction, yet they drive multimillion-dollar mitigation decisions.
Historical Context: Noise vs. Progress
LAX has been in operation since 1928, predating the development of surrounding residential areas. Aircraft have become significantly quieter over the decades, thanks to improvements in engine technology and flight procedures.
Still, residents continue to challenge flight noise, sometimes tied to changing flight paths rather than aircraft volume.
Efforts like these FAA-funded projects are designed to ease the tension between airport growth and residential peace.
However, when public funds are funneled based on misleading data, it raises questions about resource allocation and accountability.
Photo: DeltaTechnology’s Role in Noise Activism
Apps and online tools have made it easy to lodge repeated complaints with a single tap, enabling a small number of people to create the illusion of widespread dissent.
These tools have become a strategic instrument for noise activists to influence airport policies, often without broad community backing.
The FAA and airport authorities may need to reassess how they evaluate complaint data, ensuring that spending decisions are based on genuine, representative input—not inflated figures driven by automation.
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