Manhattanites, accustomed to making their commute to the Hamptons by helicopter, make a “desperate plea” this week to stop changes to the East Hampton Airport.
The group asked for a temporary restraining order to prevent restrictions that would limit helicopters to one flight a week to or from the East Hampton Airport, according to the New York Post.
The new rules come after a three-year campaign by neighbors angered by the nonstop noise. And according to the Post, the changes would have the biggest effect on billionaire Ira Rennert, who owns a 19-seat Sikorsky S-92 and a 12-seat Sikorsky S-76.
Other frequent fliers that would be inconvenienced by the changed rules include Goldman Sachs chief Lloyd Blankfein, art dealer Larry Gagosian and Jets owner Woody Johnson.
“Rennert runs them both as a shuttle, back and forth every day,” Frank Dalene, head of Quiet Skies Coalition, said.
And the new rules would, of course, mean more car traffic.
“It will be like ‘Apocalypse Now,’” a Hamptonite told the Post. “But it’s not the end of the world. Seaplanes can still land in East Hampton. Everybody will be taken care of. It’s rich people’s problems.” [NYP] – Christopher Cameron