BILL NUMBER: S84

SPONSOR: LIU
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend chapter 802 of the laws of 1947, relating to facilitat-
ing the financing and effectuation of air terminals by the Port of New
York Authority, in relation to prohibiting certain flights at LaGuardia
airport

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

Relates to the perimeter rule at LaGuardia Airport.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends chapter 802 of the laws of 1947 by adding a new section
4-B. Section 4-B mandates the Port Authority to promulgate a regulation
that prohibits nonstop flights to or from points beyond 1500 miles,
except on Saturdays, and flights to Denver, Colorado, may fly to or from
LaGuardia Airport, an air terminal of the Port Authority of New York and
New Jersey.
              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is currently considering
lifting the perimeter rule at LaGuardia Airport, which would have a
detrimental impact on communities in New York City and Nassau County
that are already suffering from increased air traffic. Allowing for
flights longer than 1500 miles will result in heavier planes departing
from LaGuardia Airport because of the extra fuel reserves needed for
those flights. Research indicates that heavier planes take longer to
reach higher altitudes and therefore are closer to the ground for a
longer time during departure. This will result in an increase in
airplane noise for the neighborhoods under these flight plans.

The residents of Queens and Long Island deserve the quiet enjoyment of
their homes. The current area navigation (RNAV) procedures are having a
significant negative effect on many communities. Lifting the perimeter
rule would compound this problem and would further diminish the quality
of life of many New Yorkers. Additionally, the perimeter rule provides a
critical mechanism for serving Upstate New York. If the perimeter rule
is lifted, airlines may transition their slots at LaGuardia away from
upstate airports toward longer flights originating on the west coast or
abroad. This would cause a reduction in flights and a potential increase
in fares at upstate airports.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

05/30/24 PASSED SENATE, REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND
COMMISSIONS

03/15/23 PASSED SENATE, REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND
COMMISSIONS

05/24/22 PASSED SENATE, REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES, AND
COMMISSIONS

06/08/21 PASSED SENATE
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect upon the enactment into law by the state of
New Jersey of legislation having an identical effect with this act, but
if the state of New Jersey has already enacted such legislation, this
act shall take effect immediately.