A proposal to allow airplanes to travel greater distances from LaGaurdia airport is stirring up controversy over the possibility of increased airplane noise. NY1's Shannan Ferry reports.
The sound of loud airplanes flying over Flushing is something these residents say they deal with on a regular basis. But many of them fear the noise could get even worse if planes are allowed to travel farther distances from LaGuardia Airport.
"As important as the airports are, the people who live here are important, too," said Susan Carroll, who lives in Flushing.
For decades, LaGuardia has had what's called a "perimeter rule," which prevents planes from traveling farther than 1,500 miles. But Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey are considering lifting that rule to allow for longer flights.
The idea is drawing opposition from residents and local elected officials, including state Assemblyman Ed Braunstein.
"Longer flights require heavier and larger planes, and we're concerned that these planes are going to result in increased noise," Braunstein said.
Residents and Braunstein also say the Port Authority is currently conducting a noise comparability study that evaluates the noise made by airplanes flying over parts of Queens. They say with a step forward like this one, lifting the perimeter rule would only be a step backwards.
"They're going to fly even lower, they're going to fly even louder, and for heaven sake's, we've been fighting for the exact opposite," said Maria Becce from Queens Quiet Skies.
A spokeswoman for the Governor's office tells NY1, in part, "The Governor takes the issue of airplane noise very seriously." Meanwhile, Port Authority officials says they're studying the potential impacts of changing the long-standing perimeter rule. There's no set time line on when a decision could be made.