On Thursday night the Nashville Metro Council took a clear stand for families living under the new departure headings at Nashville International Airport (BNA). In a 25‑2 vote, council members approved a substitute resolution that urges the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority to keep the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) informed of community concerns, make aircraft and noise data publicly available, and notify affected residents of any future FAA proposals that could change departure procedures.
Why the resolution matters to local families
Councilmember Mike Cortese, who sponsored the measure, stressed that the council has no authority to change FAA‑mandated flight patterns, but that “the goal of this is to make sure the community’s voice is elevated.” For residents like Kelly Insana, president of the nonprofit Course Correct Nashville and a homeowner in the Crieve Hall neighborhood, the added noise has become a daily hardship.
Insana and her husband have spent more than 15 years renovating their home into a place where they hoped to raise a family. “We built and renovated our dream home and we want to stay,” she said, adding that the constant roar of planes often wakes her before sunrise. “It’s five a.m. till midnight some days. I don’t even start an alarm anymore; the planes wake me up.”
Residents seek fairer distribution, not relocation
The resolution notes that residents in parts of southern Davidson County have reported a sharp rise in aircraft activity after the FAA implemented new departure headings, with some days seeing more than 150 flights over certain homes and noise levels climbing to 90 decibels. Insana clarified that the community is not asking the FAA to move the noise to another neighborhood. “We are absolutely not saying just move this to some other neighborhood. That wouldn’t be fair,” she said. Instead, residents want the traffic to be spread out more evenly across the area.
“We expect some traffic in a city, but let’s make sure it’s dispersed fairly and appropriately,” Insana added.
FAA’s rationale and the limits of local influence
The FAA says the new departure‑heading changes were designed to improve lateral and vertical separation of aircraft, allowing air traffic controllers to move planes more efficiently. Agency materials also describe the headings as a way to disperse departing aircraft. However, council members debated whether a non‑binding resolution could truly affect FAA policy, given that the federal agency retains final authority over flight paths.
One council member who supported the resolution acknowledged the limitation but argued that the council still represents the people who endure the daily noise. Other members warned that the city could give residents false hope about its ability to influence the FAA.
Legal action and next steps
Beyond the council’s symbolic support, Course Correct Nashville, the City of Oak Hill, the Crieve Hall Neighborhood Association and other local groups have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the FAA’s decisions. Insana said a judge is expected to rule on the case on Dec. 3.
The FAA declined to comment when NewsChannel 5 reached out in September, citing pending litigation. The agency did point to a virtual public workshop held on March 6, 2025, which was intended to explain the proposed changes and allow community members to ask questions. More information about the workshop and the departure‑heading changes is available on the FAA’s Community Engagement Nashville page.
What the council vote means for residents
For Insana, the council’s vote provides a tangible sign that local government is willing to stand with the community. “This is us advocating for change. It can be a long process, but it never hurts to have more support,” she said. While the resolution does not alter the FAA’s authority, it adds another layer of public pressure and may help keep the issue in the spotlight as the legal battle proceeds.
Original reporting: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
