Noisy NYC Helicopters Won't Be Grounded After Gov's Veto

NEW YORK CITY — The thrumming — and sometimes deafening — hum of helicopters flying over New York City will carry on after Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed a high-profile bill to limit such flights.

Hochul grounded the "Stop the Chop Act" Friday because it ran afoul of federal control of New York airspace, Gothamist first reported.

The veto quickly prompted criticism from state Sen. Brad Hoylman, who sponsored the bill.

"The noise, pollution and health impacts of tourist choppers is only growing for West Siders and across Manhattan," he said in a statement. "In fact, just yesterday, I released a report that found an average of 165 helicopters fly over Manhattan each weekend, nearly half of which originate from New Jersey."

Holyman pledged to redouble efforts to limit helicopter traffic over the city by introducing legislation to close the West 30th Street heliport in the Hudson River Park.

The governor has spent $250,000 of taxpayer money on flights, including from Hudson River Park, the New York Post first reported.

Many New York City dwellers, particularly on the West Side, have become increasing aggravated by constant chopper noise. Complaints about loud helicopters have increased nearly 5,000 percent since 2017, data shows.

Hoylman's bill would have the first state legislative effort to curb noisy helicopters. It called for $10,000 daily fines for noise and potential actions state Attorney General.

The bill flew through the Legislature with broad support until it crashed into Hochul's desk.