New hotline for aircraft noise complaints

Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand want federal agencies to develop a streamlined process for Long Island and Queens residents to file complaints about aircraft noise from Kennedy and LaGuardia airports.

The senators, both Democrats, Tuesday sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration and Port Authority, asking for a single noise complaint hotline.

"We are aware that the FAA and Port Authority already have separate ways for accepting community concerns, collecting and sharing data," Schumer and Gillibrand wrote to FAA Acting Administrator Michael Huerta and Port Authority Executive Director Patrick Foye. "This approach has led to confusion as to where noise complaints should be submitted."

The FAA uses an email address to receive complaints about low-flying aircraft. The Port Authority has a phone line for aircraft noise complaints.

Ron Marsico, a Port Authority spokesman, said a single noise complaint phone number would soon be in place.

"Jet noise complaints at JFK and LaGuardia airports can soon be made to one number, as the Port Authority streamlines its phone and website technology with the FAA," Marsico said.

Len Schaier, of Citizens for Quiet Skies over North Hempstead, said Schumer and Gillibrand's involvement "is really good news and should help us get a better understanding of aircraft noise patterns."

A single toll-free hotline for all noise complaints is a frequent request at monthly meetings of the Town-Village Aircraft Safety & Noise Abatement Committee.

An FAA spokeswoman said Tuesday that the agency "looked forward to working with the congressional delegation."

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola) made a similar request of FAA and Port Authority officials in February.

The FAA's Eastern Region complaint email address is 9-AEA-NOISE@faa.gov, and the Port Authority's noise hotline is 973-961-6026.