Home > Newsroom > 2007 News Releases > Aircraft Noise & Safety
For Immediate Release: January 8, 2007
Contact: Kimberly Allen, (202) 226-8364; (202) 420-1524 [cell]
Alex Formuzis, Sen. Lautenberg, (202) 224-7340
Allyn Brooks-LaSure, Sen. Menendez, (202) 224-4744Lautenberg, Menendez, and Rothman Request Changes to Improve Safety at Teterboro Airport
In letter to Federal Aviation Administration, officials request flight path changes, note risk to high-rise apartment and office buildings, as well as Hackensack University Medical Center.
(Washington, DC)—Today, Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez joined Congressman Steve Rothman (D-NJ) in writing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to request changes to the flight paths approved for planes landing on Runway 19 at Teterboro Airport during inclement weather.
Known as the Instrument Landing System (ILS), the FAA-approved approach for Runway 19 (ILS-19) has led to more noise and safety concerns than originally anticipated. The flight path, which is increasingly used by pilots during all weather conditions, brings air traffic very close to several high-rise apartment and office buildings, as well as the Hackensack University Medical Center.
"We ask that the FAA work with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to examine the possibility of changing the ILS approach in a way that steers aircraft away from the Hackensack University Medical Center and the surrounding residential buildings. Taking the proactive step of altering the existing ILS system would benefit all of the airports' stakeholders, including aircraft operators, passengers, and local residents," wrote Lautenberg, Menendez, and Rothman.
Said Rothman, "Residents are right to be concerned about the number of planes allowed near their homes, workplaces, and hospital. I strongly urge the FAA to work with Teterboro Airport officials, nearby residents and the Port Authority to change this flight path and improve safety."
"We must examine making changes to this runway approach at Teteboro in order to prevent a potentially deadly crash that could involve hundreds of our citizens," said Lautenberg. "Teterboro is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the country and the safety of operations there must be the top priority."
"Ensuring the safety and quality of life of neighboring residents and workers in the Teterboro area is our highest priority," Menendez said. "We implore the FAA to reevaluate ILS-19 and to explore every available option to ensure we aren't needlessly putting lives at risk."
Read the full text of the letter here.
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