October 28, 2008
National Air Transportation Association (NATA) President James K. Coyne, the Teterboro Airport Industry Working Group Co-Chair, along with NetJets Aviation, Inc. President James C. Christiansen, today praised the success of the Teterboro Airport Industry Working Group during a press conference with local and federal officials at Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation’s hangar in Teterboro, NJ.
Speakers at the press conference included:
- Congressman Steven Rothman (D-NJ)
- Anthony Coscia, chairman, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
- Susan Bass Levin, deputy director, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
- James K. Coyne, TEB Industry Working Group co-chair and president, National Air Transportation Association
- James Christiansen, president, NetJets Aviation, Inc.
The purpose of the press conference was to update the public on the Teterboro Airport Industry Working Group’s “Pledge to the Community Program” that focuses on five key areas to bridge the interests of the aviation community and airport neighbors proactively and voluntarily and to offer practical and workable local solutions that address the unique nature of Teterboro Airport (TEB). These five key areas include:
- A voluntary ban of Stage II aircraft operations at TEB
- A voluntary curfew on non-essential nighttime operations between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- A commitment not to operate aircraft exceeding 100,000 pounds at TEB
- A commitment to make TEB a model for the safest general aviation airport in the nation
- A pledge to enhance and refine the security procedures already in place at TEB and support the airport in its ultimate goal of becoming the industry’s security model for general aviation airports
In 2006, the Teterboro Airport Industry Working Group assembled a diverse group of aviation industry professionals who use the airport. Comprised of experienced aviation experts representing TEB’s fixed base operators, airport users and tenants, and national and local aviation industry associations, the working group is the first all-industry group to step forward to work with TEB’s owner, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Congressman Steve Rothman to address community concerns.
Since October 2006, more than 300 signatories have joined the Pledge to the Community Program. Most importantly, Stage II aircraft operations and nighttime operations have all dropped significantly since the program’s inception. Since October 2006, Stage II operations have dropped by 43 percent and nighttime operations have declined by 16 percent.
“I am quite pleased with the continued progress of the working group’s Pledge to the Community Program,” stated NATA President James C. Coyne. “The significant reduction in Stage II and overnight operations is a testament to the aviation industry’s commitment to this critical initiative.”
“NetJets Aviation is pleased to be a participant in this widely successful program,” stated NetJets Aviation, Inc. President James C. Christiansen. “We continue to encourage our customers to recognize the important pledges established by the working group to ensure that the aviation industry that utilizes the airport, along with its surrounding community, continue to thrive in a safe and secure manner.”
As part of the working group’s ongoing efforts, a letter sent by aviation industry users reinforcing the need for operators to abide by the voluntary nighttime curfew as well as not to operate Stage II aircraft into and out of the airport was also announced at the press conference. A copy of this letter can be viewed by clicking here.
“The Teterboro Airport Industry Working Group’s Pledge to the Community Program continues to be the foundation upon which the aviation community and the local community surrounding the airport address and resolve airport concerns,” concluded Coyne and Christiansen. “We continue to encourage aviation industry participation within this critical program.”
For more information, please contact Eric R. Byer, NATA’s Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs at (800) 808-6282 or via email at ebyer@nata.aero.
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NATA, the voice of aviation business, is the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before the Congress and federal agencies.