FAA Proposes Straightening Jet Route J-21 Near Laredo, Texas, Removing 1.47-Degree Turn
Why It MattersA straighter J-21 ground track near the border would trim routing inefficiency on a Texas-Mexico corridor, though the FAA expects only de minimis costs or minor rerouting for operators.
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend Jet Route J-21 in the vicinity of Laredo, Texas. The proposal would eliminate a 1.47-degree turn in the airway at the international boundary between the United States and Mexico, straightening the route's ground track and improving efficiency. The document is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on 2026-11-12.
Under the proposal, the southern segment of J-21 would be adjusted by changing the Laredo VORTAC radial that defines the route to the U.S.-Mexico border, from the current 163° (M) / 172° (T) radial (TTXOX waypoint) to the 165° (M) / 174° (T) radial (DAPUN waypoint). The new airway intersection at the border would move from TTXOX to the newly designated DAPUN waypoint, located 0.93 nautical miles southwest of the existing border intersection. The turn currently occurs where the Mexican segment of J-21, charted between Ciudad Victoria, Mexico, and the border, joins the U.S. segment.
The FAA is inviting written comments, data or views under docket 26-ASW-13, which may be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal or by fax to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251. The agency says it will consider all comments received on or before the closing date and may change the proposal in light of them. The amendment would be made to FAA Order JO 7400.11M, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 30, 2026, and effective September 15, 2026; Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004 of that order.
The FAA has determined that the proposal is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866 and not a significant rule under DOT Order 2100.6B, and it expects at most de minimis compliance costs or minor flight rerouting. On that basis it certifies that the rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis under FAA Order 1050.1G before any final regulatory action.
