Members Encouraged to Provide Feedback on Proposed Expansion to Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex

Feb. 2, 2026

NBAA encourages business aircraft operators based in Alaska, or those who frequently fly in the region, to review and submit comments on pending changes to the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex (JPARC) by the Feb. 9 deadline.

The U.S. Air Force recently submitted a notice of intent to prepare an Environment Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of expanding the JPARC. The expanded complex would optimize the regional training environment for 4th and 5th Generation aircraft by:

• Redesigning Special Activity Airspace (SAA) in the existing northern JPARC, which includes Military Operations Areas and Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace (ATCAAs)
• Establishing a new SAA in the Gulf of Alaska
• Creating two new large areas of SAA in the western area of Alaska to replace the existing smaller fragmented SAA

The proposal outlines four options: three which vary the location of the two proposed western SAAs, and a fourth alternative “no action.”

The EIS process, which generally takes 18-24 months to complete, is one of the first stages of implementing airspace changes. During the current public scoping phase, it is critical that airspace stakeholders evaluate the impact of potential changes and comment on the possible impacts, including safety and environmental impacts of last-minute or long-distance rerouting.

“Given the proposed expansion in size, altitude and number of activation days, this airspace change has the potential to have a serious impact on the business aviation companies who provide essential services and support to rural communities across Alaska,” said Janice Planten, NBAA’s director of air traffic services. “Since much of Alaska is not accessible via roads, aviation is a vital service for residents to get to routine medical appointments and for communities to receive mail, food and medical supplies.

“NBAA strongly encourages affected members to provide comments on this issue, especially highlighting any safety or environmental impacts of this potential expansion,” she added.

Comments may be submitted online though the JPARC Airspace Comment Form, or may be submitted via mail; however, all mail needs to be postmarked by Feb. 9.