Teterboro Airport Expansion Advances Amid Hackensack Noise Concerns

Teterboro Airport is moving forward with expansion plans after the Federal Aviation Administration issued a finding of no significant environmental impact in late September. The project, located in the Hackensack Meadowlands District, includes new hangars, flight lines, and parking facilities.

Neighboring Cities Respond

The city councils of Hackensack and Paramus have passed resolutions urging the FAA and Port Authority to require pilots to use an alternate flight path over Route 17. The route opened in 2021 but remains optional, with Hackensack officials reporting that less than 1 percent of aircraft currently follow it.

Resident Concerns

Residents in Hackensack have expressed frustration over aircraft noise. Victoria Tahhan said private jets the size of a small house are landing at the airport and questioned what further changes the expansion might bring. Aysyah Allen stated that residents have adjusted to the noise because there is nothing they can do about it. Tahhan also described how conversations must stop when planes pass overhead and noted that she once kept Christmas lights on year-round due to the constant activity.

FAA Guidance

The FAA has stated that communities may contact their local aviation community roundtable or airport operator with concerns, after which the agency can work with the airport to assess whether air traffic changes are needed.