Jersey City Residents Say Helicopter Noise Is Ruining Their Quality of Life
Residents in Jersey City Heights say the relentless noise from helicopters operating out of a Kearny, New Jersey, heliport is making it difficult to enjoy their homes.
Residents say helicopters fly over their homes throughout the day and night. One resident said he counted 100 helicopters in a single day. Residents also report that some helicopters fly low enough to shake windows and walls, making it difficult to enjoy their backyards or simply have a quiet cup of coffee at home.
The Kearny heliport, operated by HHI, is home to multiple commercial helicopter operators. Kearny officials say the operator testified during the zoning approval process that there would be no tourist helicopter operations and that the heliport would operate only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Officials now allege that those conditions are being violated.
Kearny and other Hudson County municipalities are taking the dispute to court in an effort to force the heliport to comply with local zoning requirements.
Beyond the zoning dispute, residents have also raised safety concerns following the April 2025 helicopter crash in the Hudson River. The helicopter involved was reportedly housed at the Kearny heliport, although the passengers boarded in Lower Manhattan.
For residents living beneath the flight paths, however, the immediate issue is the noise. A neighborhood that should provide a place to live, relax and enjoy the outdoors can become anything but peaceful when helicopters repeatedly pass overhead.