IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Rob Kulat
(732) 219-5816
STATEMENT FROM THE NEW JERSEY AVIATION ASSOCIATION REGARDING OPPOSITION TO BOEING BUSINESS JET’S OPERATION AT TETERBORO
TRENTON, NJ (1/24/00) – The following statement is from Tom Carver, president of the New Jersey Aviation Association regarding the opposition to Boeing Business Jets’ (BBJ) access to Teterboro airport.
“It is unfortunate that the meeting held today by Congressman Steven Rothman has created an emotional debate where facts and reason are often sacrificed. His attempts to categorize the possible entry of the BBJ as an ‘expansion’ of Teterboro doesn’t make sense. How could it be an ‘expansion’ to allow a Category 3 aircraft inTeterboro when other Category 3 aircraft use Teterboro every day?
The BBJ has a proven safely record worldwide. Other Category 3 aircraft currently allowed at Teterboro include the Falcon 5, G-5, DC-9, BAC 1-11, and 737…the very aircraft the Boeing Business Jet is derived from. There has been innuendo that the BBJ is a commercial aircraft because it is derived from the 737. It is not. Teterboro will not be expanded to handle commercial passengers.
The BBJ is perhaps the most modern, quiet aircraft available today. It exceeds Stage 3 noise requirements, and emissions are lower than ICAO standards for this type of aircraft. One might argue that this is the type of aircraft the community surrounding Teterboro has been looking for many years: quiet, low emissions, and will be able to keep the economic engine at the airport humming, which conservatively adds approximately $500 million to the local economy annually.
Some of the businesses that currently utilize Teterboro could convert to the BBJ in lieu of their current aircraft. Should they be precluded from landing their BBJ at Teterboro, these companies may be forced to reevaluate their business activities in the Garden State. We know many companies are located in Bergen County and throughout northern New Jersey specifically because of the convenience of Teterboro. Without access to the airport, we may see some businesses relocate near airports that allow the BBJ to operate.
In the final analysis, the issue comes down to safety. Our national aviation system is designed so we all depend on the FAA to determine the safety of our airspace, airports and aircraft. They are the experts on safety issues, such as aircraft weight, and we believe the BBJ, as a Category 3 aircraft, falls within the allowable limits at Teterboro. Perhaps its time to limit the emotion and await the FAA’s decision on this issue.”
The New Jersey Aviation Association is comprised of corporations, airports, aircraft operators, industry vendors and individuals affiliated with the $1.8 billion aviation industry in New Jersey.
New Jersey Aviation Association
1 Airport Road, Morristown, NJ 07960-4651
Phone: 973 734 9994 - Fax: 973 734 9995
