Elevate Aviation Group subsidiary Private Jet Services Group (PJS) has filed a federal lawsuit against Westchester County in New York and its airport’s executive director over alleged discrimination.
According to a news release emailed to FLYING from PJS, the suit accuses the county and its airport’s executive director, April Gasparri, of denying access to Westchester County Airport (KHPN) for the company’s Boeing 757-200 charter flights.
The release stated that Delta Air Lines charter flights were allowed at the airport for MSG Sports—including the NBA’s New York Knicks and NHL’s New York Rangers—on “nearly identical” Boeing 757-200 during the same time that PJS was denied.
The complaint, filed on Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, stated that this denial cost PJS its brokerage contract with the Yellowstone Mountain Club for flights operated by New Pacific Airlines to Westchester County Airport.
“Despite prior approvals and successful operations of such flights at [Westchester County Airport], airport officials have continued to arbitrarily and deliberately deny PJS and [New Pacific Airlines] access, while simultaneously allowing identical operations by Delta Air Lines…on behalf of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers,” the complaint stated.
The complaint also said Yellowstone Mountain Club canceled its remaining four-year contract with PJS and New Pacific Airlines, resulting in a $4.8 million revenue loss over that period. Private Jet Services Group is seeking an unspecified amount in compensatory damages for financial loss.
“The lawsuit highlights broader concerns about transparency, fairness, and equitable access at a publicly funded airport,” the news release stated. “PJS is seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent further arbitrary and discriminatory treatment and to restore fair access to the airport. PJS hopes the lawsuit can shed light on the fact that [Westchester County Airport] has created undocumented policies that favor some operators over others, in violation of federal regulations.”
FLYING has reached out to Westchester County for comment.
