Aviation Companies And Advocacy Groups Dissatisfied With Airport Operations

Two separate lawsuits were filed last week over the operation and management of East Hampton airport in New York State. A group of aviation advocacy groups and businesses filed a suit against the FAA, and a second suit against the town of East Hampton.

The suits challenge the ability of the FAA to waive grant assurances that are standing in the way of an effort by the Town Board to set a curfew at the airport due to noise complaints. Those grant assurances expired in December. The other seeks to have the FAA get involved in directing the town to address "critical safety and security gaps" at the airport.

Among those bringing the suits was the "Friends of the East Hampton Airport." A spokesperson for the group, Loren Riegelhaupt, told the East Hampton Press that the group felt it had no choice other than to sue.  "Our coalition is eager to work with the town, the FAA and our fellow residents to help resolve complaints related to noise, but we won't do it in a way that compromises safety or violates federal law," he said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the town has refused to change course and we are forced to take these and future actions to ensure that the airport remains safe, secure and operational."

The plaintiffs say that the issue is similar to the one playing out in Santa Monica, CA.

The coalition includes the Friends of the East Hampton Airport, Analar Corporation of Manhattan, Helicopter Association International of Virginia, Heliflite Shares of Newark, Liberty Helicopters of Manhattan and Shoreline Aviation of Connecticut. The suits were filed in federal court in the Eastern District of New York.

Neither the city or the FAA has commented on the litigation.

FMI: https://www.facebook.com/SaveHTO