West 30th Street Heliport Saved by VAI Advocacy

Vertical Aviation International successfully used its call to action to ensure the salvation of the West 30th Street Heliport in New York City.

The issue resulted in more than 96,000 emails sent to the New York State Legislature, a mountain of support in pushing government stakeholders to reconsider their previous course of action. The VAI worried that West 30th would inevitably close once construction in the area precluded its operation. Years of advocacy in the Big Apple taught them that "temporary" measures are rarely ever all that temporary in the long run, and removing infrastructure from use disrupts the entire business ecosystem that relies upon it. Now, the state will move forward in a different direction, ensuring West 30th remains a while longer.

“The legislation now includes a task force with industry representation ensuring that we have a seat at the table and our voice will be heard as conversations about the future of the heliport continue in the months and years to come,” said Josh Rousseau, VAI’s Northeast US regional representative. 

That task force will oversee proposals and policies that affect the heliport, ensuring that any future decisions include "comprehensive industry input". That should go a long way in preserving the heliport and providing a voice to local operators that depend on a healthy airport ecosystem to pay the bills.

“Removing infrastructure means removing opportunities for local communities to benefit from vertical aviation,” Rousseau added. “The future of vertical aviation is promising, especially with sustainable technologies that enhance community compatibility on the horizon.”

FMI: www.rotor.org