Mayor Eric Adams’ administration has chosen two overseas companies to run the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, elevating considerations in some national-security circles as a result of the president’s Marine One chopper makes use of it.
The town Financial Improvement Company chosen Downtown Skyport LLC — a partnership between Skyports Infrastructure, a UK-based agency and the operator of the London Heliport, and France’s Groupe ADP, which operates Paris’ three airports, to run the city-owned downtown heliport.
The Downtown Manhattan Heliport is utilized by Marine One and by US navy and federal law-enforcement officers.
“I don’t think it’s a wise choice, given the sensitive activity that happens there. I’m surprised,” stated Jonathan Wackrow, who served for 14 years as a particular agent within the US Secret Service, to The Put up.
“It raises a red flag. It’s odd and should certainly be questioned. Any critical infrastructure should not be operated by a foreign entity.”
He claimed foreigners may have entry to nationwide safety info and requested, “Where will this information go?”
There have been no less than two makes an attempt to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump throughout the election marketing campaign.
The town Franchise and Assessment Committee is predicted to approve the contract after a public listening to Monday.
Wackrow, who served within the safety element for former President Barack Obama, stated the Downtown Heliport was an vital publish after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist assaults, offering entry from Pier 6 within the Battery close to Floor Zero.
The brand new European operators will substitute Manhattan-based Saker Aviation Providers.
The present operator confronted controversy final 12 months after it was revealed that William Wachtel, chairman of the board of Saker Aviation, is regulation companions with Morris Missry, a board member on the EDC.
Downtown Skyport received the following contract in a aggressive bidding course of.
Each of its firms have developed using quieter electrical vertical take-off and touchdown plane, a prime precedence of Mayor Adams.
Helicopter noise has lengthy been a serious bane of New York Metropolis residents, with 59,000 complaints recorded final 12 months.
EDC officers defended the choice of European-based Downtown Skyport.
“NYCEDC is proud to welcome Downtown Skyport as the new operator of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport,” stated New York Metropolis Financial Improvement Company President and CEO Andrew Kimball in an announcement.
“With their expertise in global transportation, Downtown Skyport is perfectly positioned to advance the Adams Administration’s vision of transforming DMH into a hub for cutting-edge mobility. By integrating eVTOL technology — a quieter, greener alternative to traditional helicopters — and facilitating maritime freight and last-mile deliveries, this initiative will not only reduce truck traffic but bring huge quality of life improvements for all New Yorkers,” he stated.
As a part of the bidding course of, EDC officers stated it checked with applicable federal companies on the opportunity of hiring an operator with a mother or father entity based mostly in overseas nations.
These evaluations discovered that there can be no safety dangers posed to Marine One — or another official US authorities helicopter — touchdown on the heliport, the EDC stated.
The settlement will present for a five-year $14.7 million contract from February 2025 to January 2030, with three five-year choices for renewal by 2045.
Downtown Skyport would initially pay town a minimal of $2.75 million to function the airport, growing to 4% yearly or 42.5% of gross, whichever is bigger, based on the phrases of the contract reviewed by Crain’s New York Enterprise.
New York Metropolis stays the proprietor of the heliport. Operations are managed by a concession settlement, which EDC can terminate at its discretion.
