WESTCHESTER- Shortly after six dogs boarded BARK Air’s inaugural flight from Westchester County, billed as the first “air travel experience” tailored for canines, the county filed a lawsuit against BARK in federal court.
The lawsuit alleges that BARK Air violated Westchester’s airport-use regulations.
BARK Air Getting Sued
According to attorneys representing Westchester County, New York, BARK Air is operating from the private jet area of Westchester County Airport, which contravenes county laws.
These laws prohibit commercial and chartered aircraft with more than nine seats from using the private jet terminal.
BARK Air utilizes a Gulfstream Aerospace GV jet, which has a capacity of 14 seats.
Also named in Westchester’s lawsuit is Talon Air, the private jet company partnering with BARK to provide the canine aviation service.
Although the company was later sold, Talon Air was initially founded by Democratic mega-donor Adam Katz, who has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to County Executive George Latimer’s political campaigns.
Separately, three other airlines have sued Westchester in federal court, arguing that the county’s airport-use restrictions on charter flights violate federal law. A judge has yet to rule on these claims.
Frustration with Airports
Westchester County has expressed its frustration with public charter services. In a regulatory filing to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), it stated that the latest public charters “closely resemble” services provided by large commercial airlines.
According to the county’s filing, public charter companies “are attempting to force airports like Westchester HPN to allow them to fly” from the private jet terminal “and thereby gain a competitive advantage” over commercial airlines.
Therefore, the county argued, “the two should be held to the same safety and security standards, and airport sponsors should continue to treat them equally.”
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