Judge: Flight Restrictions Due To Noise At East Hampton Airport Are Legal

EAST HAMPTON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Residents who complained of unbearable helicopter noise in East Hampton are celebrating a victory Saturday.

As WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported, real estate agent Jane Gill, of Saunders and Associates, said some of her longtime clients who rent every year in the Hamptons decided to rent in other locations this year because they could not stand the noise from helicopters and jets flying to and from East Hampton Airport.

Listen to Judge: Flight Restrictions Due To Noise At East Hampton Airport Are Legal

"This airport was not designed for a big jet. It was designed for small aircraft such as a sea plane," she said.

The town of East Hampton established laws for for aircraft using its municipal airport in April.

But a group representing helicopter operators filed a lawsuit claiming the new laws are unconstitutional.

Now, a judge said the town board's restrictions on flights are legal and can go into effect on July 2.

The restrictions are year-round and prohibits all flights from 11 p.m. through 7 a.m. and noisy flights are prohibited between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m., Hall reported. Nearly all helicopters and jets are considered noisy flights.