Stewart Airport Runways Shut For 1 Hour Due To Drones: Gov. Hochul

NEW WINDSOR, NY —The runways at Stewart International Airport were shut down for about one hour Friday night because of drone activity in the airspace, Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

The Hudson Valley airport is also home to Stewart Air National Guard Base.

"Last night, the runways at Stewart Airfield were shut down for approximately one hour due to drone activity in the airspace," Hochul said in a statement. "This has gone too far."

The New York governor is calling on federal authorities to get to the bottom of a string of mysterious drone sightings in the region.

"In mid-November, I directed the New York State Intelligence Center to actively investigate drone sightings and coordinate with federal law enforcement to address this issue, and those efforts are ongoing," Hochul said. "But in order to allow state law enforcement to work on this issue, I am now calling on Congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act. This bill would reform legal authorities to counter-UAS and strengthen the FAA’s oversight of drones, and would extend counter-UAS activities to select state and local law enforcement agencies."

SEE ALSO: NY Officials Urge Calm Amid Reports Of Mysterious Drone Sightings

State officials said that current regulations make it difficult for state and local regulators to take action.

"Extending these powers to New York State and our peers is essential. Until those powers are granted to state and local officials, the Biden Administration must step in by directing additional federal law enforcement to New York and the surrounding region to ensure the safety of our critical infrastructure and our people," the governor added.