East Hampton Files Complaint, Moves to End Blade Lease

The Town of East Hampton, New York, is continuing to look for ways to reduce operations and lower noise from East Hampton Airport (HTO), this time by revoking its “airport license agreement” with Blade. The New York-based Blade arranges on-demand and scheduled flights to and from the airport using Part 135 operators. The “airport license agreement” refers to Blade's rented "airport terminal counter space," which it has used over the past three years to support those operations.

East Hampton is also filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings, asking whether Blade is complying with federal obligations. “Our small, local general aviation airport is not designed for scheduled air service,” said Sylvia Overby, a member of the town council and co-liaison to HTO. “The town will not tolerate operators violating the law, especially when the safety of the flying public is jeopardized by unfair and deceptive business practices of operators.”

Jeffrey Bragman, another member of the town council and HTO co-liaison, added, “Until such time that they prove that they are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, they have no place at East Hampton Airport.”

But while expressing concerns about the legality of the operations, East Hampton supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc also cited concerns about a “steep increase in air traffic” through smartphone applications or other services directly offered to customers.

The number of operations and noise at HTO has been an ongoing issue for certain East Hampton residents, leading town leaders to seek multiple means to address concerns. These have included curfews and certain other “noisy” aircraft restrictions that the courts ultimately rejected. The town is working on a Part 161 study that looks at several more options, reportedly including possibly the shuttering the airport altogether.

As for Blade, attorney Edward Burke said, “Blade arranges helicopter and seaplane flights to multiple destinations in the east end of Long Island and elsewhere in the Northeast in full compliance with all DOT regulations. The company has requested a meeting with East Hampton town representatives to provide an understanding as to how Blade arranges flights within federal guidelines.”

Blade’s services have grown rapidly since the company began arranging operations in 2014. It has established nearly two-dozen core routes in seven states and earlier this year formed a partnership with Airbus Helicopters for on-demand helicopter services.