In the FAA's Record of Decision it acknowledges the "magnitude of aircraft delays at Logan over the years" and the FAA's "responsibility to provide for orderly and efficient air traffic control at Logan. It is appropriate for the FAA to do its part to reduce aircraft delays at Logan." The ROD continues that a "significant cause of Logan delays is the northwest winds."

"We're satisfied," Barbara Platt, spokesperson for the Massachusetts Port Authority the agency that oversees the airport, tells GlobeSt.com. "This is a significant milestone in the project. Even with the restrictions, Logan will still see a 25% reduction in overall delays."

But the runway's approval does not mean that the coast is clear for Massport, which has been lobbying to have the new runway built for the past seven years. There are two court cases pending against the airport's sixth runway which represent potentially significant hurdles to be overcome.

The first court case is a lawsuit filed by the towns of Hull, Cohasset and Hingham. Under its current configuration, the new runway will create a flight pattern directly over these towns and they object to the potential increase in noise and air pollution. That case will be heard in October.

The other case is the lifting of an injunction on the new runway that was placed 28 years ago. That case, which is being opposed by the city of Boston as well as Communities Against Runway Expansion, will be heard in January. Platt points out that the initial injunction was put in due to a "lack of process," but she says that Massport is confident that the injunction will be lifted. "This has been a long and open process. We look forward to presenting all of the facts in court."

But those who oppose the runway are also looking forward to their day in court. "We are saying Massport has not addressed the environmental issues that would allow the injunction to be lifted," Bill Manning, vice president of CARE, tells GlobeSt.com. "Our lawyer seems to think we have a good, solid argument." Mannhing adds that CARE was "disappointed with the FAA's record of decision and we think that at least it should have been a higher wind restriction."

Antonia Pollak, the city's environmental director, tells GlobeSt.com that city Mayor Thomas M. Menino was also disappointed with the FAA's decision, although he was not surprised. The mayor's chief concern, she notes, is that Massport is required to oversee itself. "How will this be implemented?" she asks. "The mayor wants a comprehensive plan on how this will be managed and how area communities will be affected. He's very frustrated." Pollak adds that the city is working to prevent the runway injunction from being lifted because the environmental reviews are "inadequate." She worries that the increase in noise and air pollution could impact the city's development of its waterfront in South Boston. "It's supposed to be in compliance with the city's planning effort," which, she says, the runway is not. "This is an expansion plan. They are at capacity and now we're being asked to bear more."

Both Pollak and Manning want alternatives to the runway to be explored, such as a Peak Pricing Plan, which would offer airlines financial incentives to land at off peak times, or diverting more flights to airports in Hanscom and Worcester, both of which are under Massport's control. Logan is supposed to undergo a Peak Pricing Plan experiment but it is likely that that will happen after the new runway is already built.

"It's unfortunate we have to settle this in the courts," says Pollak.