New York Operators Versus East Hampton NIMBYs Given Respite from Closure, Conversion to Permission-Only Airport

A Suffolk County, New York court granted a motion for an injunction that maintains access to the East Hampton Town Airport (JPX) in the latest change of the ongoing battle to maintain the location. 

The litigation was supported by local friends and industry bodies, opposed by the town of East Hampton itself as it seeks to extend a series of operational restrictions at the field. If the town has its way, flights into JPX will be much tougher for visitors and operators based out of the region, with the airport becoming a private field. As operations have been under scrutiny by locals, locals from the East Hampton Aviation Association have stressed the importance of neighborly flying. In recent months, a voluntary curfew and noise abatement procedures have helped dampen the disruption of flight operations in the nearby NIMBY-zone, though the battle will ultimately be borne out in court across a handful of legal cases. 

The injunction by State Supreme Court Justice Paul J. Baisley sided with the pro-aviation side, preventing the town from enacting its plan to close the airport for a 33-hour period and re-open it as a new private-use field. Previously, the court issued a separate temporary injunction to prevent the closure, though that one did not block a name and designator change for the field. 

The NBAA views the recent development with enthusiasm, another small ‘win’ amidst a series of battles between the landed locals and aviation stakeholders playing out in a few spots across the country. “Although appealable,” the group said in an update this week, “the judge’s latest decision is a definitive ruling against the town’s efforts to impose onerous restrictions against general aviation operations, including curfews, noise-based operational limitations and punitive landing fees.” 

“The court’s decision to reaffirm the impropriety of the town’s actions to curtail operations at their community airport is a significant step in protecting access not just to East Hampton Airport, but to other airports in New York state and around the country,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “It is vital that town officials recognize their obligations to maintain access under established state and federal statutes.” 

In typical aviation fashion, Bolen reiterated the industry’s commitment to neighborly behavior and friendly operations wherever possible. “Rather than prolonged litigation over the fate of East Hampton’s airport, we welcome an open and honest discourse that recognizes its importance as a vital part of our national airspace system and a critical transportation hub for the town, the surrounding community and all of Long Island,” he said. ”I think we can all agree the goal should be a balanced solution.”

FMI: www.NBAA.org