The FAA this week published new instrument approach procedures for the embattled East Hampton Town Airport (KJPX) on New York's Long Island, a move hailed by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and other stakeholders seeking to preserve public access to the general aviation gateway.

The airport has been operating under a temporary restraining order since May 16, when a New York State Supreme Court judge blocked the town of East Hampton’s plan to shut the facility and reopen it as a private-use airport, with restrictions on access designed to curtail flight operations.

Though the airport remains open and accessible due to the last-minute court ruling, some technical alterations were already made ahead of the FAA’s May 19 chart cycle, including the change of the airport identifier from KHTO to KJPX, and from public use to private. As well, privately-funded instrument approach procedures associated with the newly-renamed KJPX were introduced, causing difficulties for pilots wishing to use them before FAA publication.

“This marks an important step toward enhancing safety and improving access to the airport while the battle to ensure its future continues,” said Alex Gertsen, NBAA's director of airports and ground infrastructure.