PJS files denial of access lawsuit against Westchester

Private Jet Services Group (PJS) has filed a federal lawsuit against Westchester County and the executive director of aviation at Westchester County Airport, April Gasparri. 

Filed in the Southern District of New York, the suit alleges unlawful and discriminatory denial of access to Westchester County Airport for Boeing 757-200 (similar aircraft pictured above) charter flights operated on behalf of PJS. 

The company claims Delta Air Lines charter flights for MSG Sports, including the National Basketball Association’s New York Knicks and National Hockey League’s New York Rangers, on nearly identical Boeing 757-200 aircraft were permitted access during the same time period as flights for PJS were denied.

According to the complaint, PJS was denied access despite meeting all operational safety standards and following procedures that had historically resulted in approvals. 

The suit claims that Westchester County Airport officials implemented ad hoc restrictions without public notice or justification, including an undocumented policy that selectively limited the number of Boeing 757-200 aircraft permitted on the ground per day. 

Records indicate, however, that the airport allowed Delta Air Lines to operate multiple flights on the Boeing 757-200s on the same dates that PJS flights were denied. The complaint alleges this suggests that the restrictions were not equally enforced.

PJS said the lawsuit highlights broader concerns about transparency, fairness and equitable access at a publicly funded airport. The company is seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent further arbitrary and discriminatory treatment and to restore fair access to the airport.

The case number in S.D.N.Y. is 25-cv-04820, and public records are available at: Southern District of New York Case Lookup.