Flight Operations to New York

Flight Operations to New York – The 80th UN General Assembly is ongoing in New York. As a major diplomatic event facilitating global socio/political dialogue, the UNGA sees a range of Heads of State, government delegations, NGOs leaders, experts, and media travel to the city to take part. Yet at any time of year, New York remains a staple destination on the business aviation map.

Here’s some insight on the different entry airports for New York for operators planning operations to NYC.

Entry Airport Information and Advantages 

John Fitzgerald Kennedy International Airport 

• ICAO: KJFK / IATA: JFK
• Location: Queens, NY 
• Advantages: International hub so best for diplomatic delegations 
• Drive to Manhattan: 60–90 minutes with traffic (13 miles) 
• Hours: Airport & ATC 24 hours  
• Customs: 24 hours; landing rights required 2 hrs prior. Operations between 2300–0600L must be pre-notified 
• Inspection Process: Private flights processed at GAT (Hangar 18). CBP and Agriculture staff onsite 
• FBOs: Sheltair, Modern Aviation 

New York Stewart International 

• ICAO: KSWF / IATA: SWF   
• Location: Newburgh, NY 
• Advantages: Long 11,800 ft. runway and an approved DCA Gateway Airport (DASSP) 
• Drive to Manhattan: 75–100 minutes with traffic (44 miles) 
• Hours: Airport & ATC 24 hours; CBP office 0800–1600L Monday to Friday 
• Customs: Inspections Monday to Friday during office hours; request 2 hours prior 
• Inspection Process: Park at CBP office near terminal. All crew/passengers processed inside FIS. Passengers must reboard aircraft and taxi to FBO. 
• FBOs: Atlantic, Signature

Teterboro Airport, New Jersey

• ICAO: KTEB / IATA: TEB
• Location: Teterboro, New Jersey 
• Advantages: Closest GA-only airport to Manhattan and highly experienced with UNGA operations 
• Drive to Manhattan: 35–60 minutes with traffic (7–12 miles) 
• Hours: Airport & ATC 24 hours 
• Customs: Inspections daily 0730–2315L: permission to land required 2 hours prior 
• Inspection Process: Park at Hangar 1 or Jet Aviation. Passengers/crew processed in FIS. Waste collected. At Hangar 1, passengers reboard and taxi to FBO; at Jet Aviation, they may depart directly 
• FBOs: Signature, Atlantic, Jet Aviation, Meridian

Newark Liberty International Airport

• ICAO: KEWR / IATA: EWR   
• Location: New Jersey 
• Advantages: Closest GA-only airport to Manhattan and highly experienced with UNGA operations  
• Drive to Manhattan: 35–60 minutes with traffic (7–12 miles) 
• Hours: Airport & ATC 24 hours 
• Customs: Inspections 24 hours; request 2 hours prior 
• Inspection Process: Park at Signature CBP ramp. All passengers/crew processed inside FIS. 
• FBOs: Signature 

Westchester County Airport

• ICAO: KHPN / IATA: HPN   
• Location: White Plains, New York 
• Advantages: Popular corporate hub that avoids congestion and has strong GA support 
• Drive to Manhattan: ~60–90 min with traffic (33 miles)  
• Hours: ATC 0600–2300L, airport operations 24 hours 
• Customs: Inspections daily 0730–2315L; permission to land required 2 hours prior 
• Inspection Process: Processed at Signature-West, Million Air, or Atlantic-East. Waste collected. Passengers may depart directly after clearance 
• FBOs: Signature, Million Air, Atlantic

Long Island MacArthur Airport

• ICAO: KISP / IATA: ISP
• Location: Islip, New York 
• Advantages: Less congested than JFK/TEB; strong reliever. 
• Drive to Manhattan: 90–120 minutes with traffic (40 miles). 
• Hours: Airport & ATC 24 hours  
• Customs: Inspections daily 0900–2200L; request 24 hours in advance 
• Inspection Process: Directed to CBP facility near Modern Aviation. Passengers and crew processed inside. Passenger cap: 20 unless pre-approved 
• FBOs: Sheltair, Modern Aviation 

Flight Planning  

Beyond selecting the right airport for flights to the UN General Assembly, operators must also prepare for en route congestion and ATC delays. 

Operators departing from Teterboro (KTEB), Westchester (KHPN), and surrounding fields now have three new routing options to help reduce departure delays in peak traffic. These include “SERMN,” Deep Water routes, and TEC routing, all designed to provide alternate escape corridors out of congested airspace. To benefit, operators may need to plan for additional fuel or accept lower altitudes, but these options can save significant time when departures stack up. 

 The FAA has also suggested new “offload” routings to ease demand at the WHITE fix (a major bottleneck).  

• Departures from Teterboro may use ELVAE.COL.DIXIE.Y481 to connect more efficiently to southern flows 

• Departures from Westchester can file via JFK.SHIPP.Y488 or HPN.JFK.WAVEY.EMJAY.Q167.ZJAAY.KALDA, particularly for flights heading to Florida and the Caribbean 

These routings are especially relevant for operators repositioning post-UNGA or heading south immediately after events. 

For support with your flight operations to New York, contact UAS  

Our VIP Supervisors are on the ground to assist your passengers and crew.   

 For more flight operations information, visit UAS Blog