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Meng Expresses Concern Over New Plan for Newark Airport that May Create Additional Airplane Noise Over Queens

June 9, 2016

Congresswoman spearheads letter to head of FAA vowing to fight initiative should it create more noise over the borough

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) today sent a letter to the head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expressing concern over a new flight arrival plan that may create additional airplane noise over Queens.
In the letter she wrote to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, Meng vowed to fight a plan that would allow Newark Airport to use another runway for some incoming flights if the move results in more air traffic over Queens. This new procedure, if implemented, could force airplanes heading towards New York City airports to utilize flight paths that require an increased amount of time in airspace over the borough.
Queens Members of Congress who signed onto Meng’s letter include Reps. Joseph Crowley, Gregory Meeks, Hakeem Jeffries and Steve Israel.
“I am dismayed at the possibility of more aircraft noise over Queens,” said Meng. “In 2012, new flight patterns over Queens slapped increased airplane noise over our borough, a move that continues to ruin quality of life for Queens residents. We will not accept any new noise and we’ll do everything in our power – legislative and otherwise – to fight this plan should it negatively impact our borough. The FAA must immediately clarify whether this new plan for Newark Airport will cause any new aircraft noise over Queens.”
A copy of Meng’s letter to FAA Administrator Huerta can be viewed here.
The FAA is seeking to implement the new plan for Newark Airport in the fall. It would allow air traffic controllers to shift a small number of arriving flights to Newark’s Runway 29 if the airport’s Runway 4 Left or 4 Right are at capacity. The FAA is presently reviewing the environmental impact study it conducted for the plan.
Meng as well as Crowley, Meeks, Jeffries and Israel are members of the Congressional Quiet Skies Caucus.