Rising Drone Incidents Prompt Federal Action and Local Concerns at New York and New Jersey Airports

In the wake of another disruptive drone sighting at Stewart International Airport, located approximately 60 miles north of New York City, Governor Kathy Hochul is urging Congress for enhanced federal assistance. The airport faced temporary closure on Friday night, leading to heightened security measures but, fortunately, no impact on flight operations.

On a night that has added to the series of puzzling drone-related disturbances, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported the latest drone activity around 9:30 p.m., causing an approximate one-hour shutdown of the airport's runways. Quickly responding to the FAA's notice, officials efficiently managed the situation ensuring minimal disruption.

Expressing her concerns, Governor Hochul highlighted the frequency and potential threat of these airborne incidents as not only inconvenient but hazardous. The Governor confirmed her determination by activating the New York State Intelligence Center to investigate these sightings more closely and requesting substantive legislative changes.

In particular, Hochul has called on the federal government to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act. This act aims to grant the FAA greater powers and provides state and local law enforcement agencies more authority to tackle such drone activities. The additional empowerment, Governor Hochul believes, will ensure the safety of crucial infrastructure and the public.

The ongoing concerns are not confined to New York. New Jersey has also experienced similar eerie drone appearances, especially around central parts of the state. Federal authorities, including representatives from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, have reiterated that many sightings might be misidentified manned aircraft, but the possibility of unlawful drone activity cannot be discounted.

The FAA acknowledges the enormity of registered drones, with nearly a million in the U.S., and underscores the necessity of strict compliance with flight regulations, including keeping drones within visual line of sight and below the 400-feet altitude limit. Meanwhile, federal officials continue taking preventive actions including imposing temporary no-drone zones in certain areas like during significant events which may attract wide public attention, including the recent Army-Navy Game in Maryland attended by prominent political figures.

The intensity and mystery of the drone sightings have fostered collective calls for rigorous investigation and action. As both federal and state agencies delve deeper into these incidents, it is clear that tighter regulations and collaborative enforcement strategies are crucial in countering the evolving drone-related challenges.