Homeowners versus Helicopters

Resummarized from New York Times article. Blade, a helicopter charter company started by Rob Wiesenthal, has revolutionized the way wealthy New Yorkers commute to the Hamptons, boasting how their service can get passengers from Manhattan to East Hampton in 40 minutes. This is a significant improvement on the Long Island Expressway, which often takes two-and-a-half hours or longer with traffic. However, as more helicopters fly over the area, some residents have voiced concerns about the noise and the impact on their quality of life. The noise from the helicopters rattles windows on the luxurious properties below, and it's also having a detrimental effect on property values as the noise forces poolside guests to shout across their cocktails.

These concerns have led to the closure of East Hampton municipal airport, which will reopen as a private-use facility on May 19, allowing the town to impose curfews and reduce the number of flights. The closure marks the zenith of a longstanding air-vs-ground battle that escalated as shareable helicopters expanded, buoyed by a pandemic rush to sequester in the Hamptons. With the summer high season approaching, the noise levels show no signs of abating, as aviation enthusiasts and entrepreneurs, as well as residents afraid of fleets of aircraft diverting to tiny landing strips in their neighbourhoods, such as in Montauk, have hit East Hampton Town with several lawsuits. The airport's closure highlights the friction over the identity of the Hamptons and frictions that have developed over the past decades, from an elite seaside hideaway to a glitz-stuffed scene.

Despite the closure of the East Hampton airport, the debate over the use of helicopters and private jets in the Hamptons is far from over. Opponents of the airport argue that the closure is a step towards ending the noise pollution caused by the aircraft, but supporters of the airport claim that it provides an essential service for the community.

The debate over the airport and its impact on the community has been going on for years, but the COVID-19 pandemic has made the situation worse. With more people flocking to the Hamptons to escape the city, the number of flights has increased, causing more noise pollution and disruption to the community.

The closure of the airport will not solve all of the problems caused by helicopters and private jets, but it is a step in the right direction. The town of East Hampton has taken control of the airport and can now impose curfews and restrict the number of flights. This will help to reduce the noise pollution and give residents some much-needed peace and quiet.

However, the closure of the airport has not been universally welcomed. Some people are concerned that it will harm the local economy, as the airport provides an important service for businesses and tourists. There are also fears that the closure of the airport will lead to an increase in the number of flights to smaller landing strips in the area, causing even more noise pollution.

Despite these concerns, it is clear that the closure of the airport is a positive step towards ending the noise pollution caused by helicopters and private jets in the Hamptons. It shows that the community is willing to take action to protect itself from the negative impact of these aircraft, and it sends a message to other communities that they too can take action to protect themselves.

In the end, the debate over the airport and its impact on the community is a complex one, and there are no easy answers. However, by working together and finding solutions that benefit everyone, it is possible to reduce the noise pollution and make the Hamptons a more peaceful and enjoyable place to live.