By Phil Corso
After a six-month testing period in which the Federal Aviation Administration tested controversial changes in departure procedures at LaGuardia Airport, one northeast Queens lawmaker said the agency has committed to implementing the plan.
Over the summer, state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) joined with state Assemblyman Ed Braunstein (D-Bayside) and other northeast Queens community leaders to protest what their constituents reported as a deafening sound caused by new plane traffic over their neighborhoods.
The senator said in a statement Tuesday that the FAA has ignored the lawmakers’ opposition and intends to move forward with the changes in departure procedures.
“Frankly, it is a disgrace the FAA has decided to go ahead with these departure changes, which will have a profound effect on the residents in northeastern Queens without the proper input from the community,” Avella said. “My office continues to hear from homeowners who are irate at this abrupt increase in air traffic over their homes, which is causing an intolerable amount of noise pollution.”
The FAA did not return comment in time for publication.
Avella will hold a rally against the FAA’s decision outside his Bayside office, at 38-50 Bell Blvd., Dec. 15 at 11 a.m.
Reach reporter Phil Corso by e-mail at pcorso@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
