NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Mayor Eric Adams took the initial step to create space for sustainable transportation and deliveries at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport on Monday to support quieter helicopter alternatives.
"Within our lifetime many of you are going to own your own personal helicopter," Adams said. “I mean this is just unbelievable when you think about it."
NYCEDC is looking for a partner to modernize the city's heliport for electric take-off and landing aircraft and freight services, with a focus on job training, a statement by city officials explained.
The DMH is set to be the world's first to support electric flight, promising quieter skies and enhanced city living through innovative last-mile delivery solutions.
“We will not only put New York City at the cutting edge of sustainable flight technology while addressing a persistent quality-of-life issue with helicopter noise, but also get trucks off the road and make our streets safer,” Adams said.
The heliport was the launching pad for a pair of air taxis which are electric and quieter.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hasn’t approved of the plans yet but is expected to by 2025.
The two-seater helicopter has been approved in Paris, with plans to start flights next year.
This initiative is part of Adams’ "Working People’s Tour," and is set to advance the city's economic recovery, the statement read.
For New York City, the date to start flying might not be until 2026.
The project extends beyond Downtown Manhattan, with Stuyvesant Cove, the 23rd Street Pier, and Pier 36 all earmarked for development in Manhattan. Similarly, Oak Point in the Bronx and the 29th Street Pier in Brooklyn are set to become key nodes in this new network.