WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) led a letter with 11 colleagues from New Jersey and New York City calling on Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau to address air safety and congestion in the New York Metropolitan Area in the wake of the tragic crash that occurred near Reagan National Airport earlier this year.
“While aviation remains the safest form of transportation in the United States, the recent tragedy at Reagan Airport and several other alarming incidents have highlighted the urgent need for continued oversight and action from the federal government to keep it that way,” said Congressman Rob Menendez. “Since coming to Congress, I have consistently worked to address the impacts of non-essential helicopter traffic, working directly with the FAA and introducing legislation to adjust traffic patterns to limit disruptions in our community and curb helicopter noise. It’s vital that the new administration ensures there is stability at the FAA and that we have the staff, resources, and rules in place to keep our passengers and aviation professionals safe.”
The letter focuses on near misses and runway incursions at airports in the region, imploring transportation safety officials to review the layout and safety of the surrounding airspace Additionally, it raises questions on the impact of staffing cuts to FAA operations, the nationwide air traffic controller shortage, and the safety implications of non-essential helicopter flights – including tours originating in New Jersey.
Menendez was joined in sending this letter by Representatives Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Grace Meng (NY-06), Jerry Nadler (NY-12), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).
Since coming to Congress, Menendez has been a leader on the issue of helicopter noise, introducing two pieces of legislation in his first term, and convening a workshop in Jersey City with FAA officials in 2024. The Communities Before Air Tourism Act would require the FAA and National Park Service (NPS) to consult with the communities that live under prospective helicopter routes when entering into Air Tour Management Voluntary Agreements and take their wellbeing into consideration. The Protecting Communities from Helicopter Noise Act would direct the FAA to conduct a study on the operations of helicopters within a 15-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty and make recommendations on how to alleviate helicopter noise.
In the 118th Congress, he was a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he worked to pass the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. The bill included several provisions focused on ensuring the FAA has the tools it needs to adequately staff key safety operations, including for air traffic controllers.
For full text of the letter, click here.
