Resolution calling on the United States Federal Aviation Administration to eliminate the continual use of LaGuardia Airport’s TNNIS flight path

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Res. No. 128 ..Title Resolution calling on the United States Federal Aviation Administration to eliminate the continual use of LaGuardia Airport's TNNIS flight path ..Body By Council Members Paladino, Louis, Wong, Ariola, Carr and Vernikov Whereas, The United States Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") is the entity that is charged with developing and implementing airspace regulations and all aspects of civil aviation in the country; and Whereas, Airports in the United States ("U.S.") have gradually been transitioning to automated flight systems, which produce new flight paths over densely populated areas and city neighborhoods, such as Flushing and Bayside, New York; Whereas, While these new flight paths may improve flight efficiency, the increase noise created by these patterns may cause serious health concerns to residents in overflown communities; and Whereas, According to numerous health publications, including the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority and the National Institutes of Health, exposure to excessive noise produced by frequent overhead flights are associated with a number of health effects, including high blood pressure, neuroendocrinological issues, impaired psychological and cognitive functions, learned helplessness, poorer long-term memory, and diminished reading comprehension; and Whereas, LaGuardia Airport is one of New York City's three major airports located in East Elmhurst, Queens and currently encompasses 680 acres; and Whereas, LaGuardia Airport conducted over 400,000 airline departures and arrivals during 2022; and Whereas, In 1993, the FAA instituted the "Tennis Climb" or "TNNIS" at New York City's LaGuardia Airport; and Whereas, TNNIS is a specific, narrow flight path that aircraft use to depart and arrive at LaGuardia Airport; and Whereas, TNNIS was originally intended to be used as a temporary option to mitigate airplane noise during matches at the U.S. Open Tennis tournament in August and September; and Whereas, In 2012, the FAA introduced their "Next Generation Air Transportation System" or "NextGen", which is a large-scale initiative that modernizes the country's air traffic infrastructure; and Whereas, As part of NexGen's modernization, the FAA permanently installed and expanded TNNIS citing the efficiency of the route and not limiting its use during August and September; and Whereas, The FAA's policy for continual and permanent use of TNNIS has created a public health issue as well as intolerable living conditions for residents within the flight path, specifically in Queens, NY, subjecting them to excessive air traffic noise; and Whereas, Residents have reported the aircraft noise being so excessive that it vibrates their residence; and Whereas, The FAA needs to revisit the use of TNNIS and revert back to its original, limited intent; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the United States Federal Aviation Administration to eliminate the continual use of LaGuardia Airport's TNNIS flight path. WJH LS #14490 Res. #0017-2024 12/30/2025 3:55 PM

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