The FAA has dropped plans to deactivate a Victor airway in eastern New Jersey that AOPA and other airspace users had defended as a useful route for instrument and visual flights.
In withdrawing its notice of proposed rulemaking that would have deactivated Victor Airway V-284 between the Sea Isle (SIE) and Cedar Lake (VCN) vortacs, the FAA said it had determined that based on feedback from users, an operational need still exists for the airway.
AOPA reported on the proposed deactivation Oct. 6 and submitted formal comments pointing out that no savings would be realized from the proposal because an established Victor airway has no routine or planned expenses.
The FAA had also described the route as an airway in low demand. AOPA had responded in its formal comments that deactivating even a seldom-used airway would amount to a loss to the entire National Airspace System.