It’s time for the federal government to serve up a solution to loud takeoffs from LaGuardia Airport, according to Queens Congresswoman Grace Meng.
Earlier this month, Meng wrote to the U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, asking her to eliminate the TNNIS Climb flight pattern, with flights operating on LGA Runway 13 from 6 a.m. to noon and again from 6 p.m. to midnight.
The year-round use of the TNNIS Climb was brought about by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2012 due to the implementation of NextGen in New York City. Before then, the flight pattern was only used during the U.S. Open.
In her letter, the congresswoman referenced a case study called “The Trade-Off between Optimizing Flight Patterns and Human Health: A Case Study of Aircraft Noise in Queens, NY, USA” that detailed the negative impacts the flight pattern has on borough residents. The study said that those living within Community Boards 7 and 11 were especially susceptible to health issues including cardiovascular disease, anxiety and in some cases, premature death.
“This study further illustrates the need to get rid of the TNNIS Climb,” Meng said. ”The route has unfairly burdened our borough with blistering aircraft noise ever since it was implemented by the FAA in 2012, and this study confirms our suspicions about the adverse health impacts it has on Queens residents. I have met with Secretary Chao and explained to her the importance of combating the excessive airplane noise over Queens. Now, in light of this new study, she must take action. I truly hope that she’ll be our partner in this fight, and provide us with the relief we desperately need.”
In addition to eliminating TNNIS Climb, Meng also urged Chao to release the results from the National Aircraft Annoyance Survey, release underlying data generated by the Annoyance Survey, include community members as members on the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC) and information about NAC’s plans to improve operational performance in the Northeast Corridor.
A spokesperson from the congresswoman’s office said that they have not yet received a response from Secretary Chao about the flight path.
