FAA Expands No-Drone Zones Over Hudson Yards and Critical Infrastructure Sites

The Federal Aviation Administration has significantly expanded temporary flight restrictions for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) across New York City and surrounding areas, including a new restriction over Manhattan’s Hudson Yards development near Teterboro Airport that will remain in effect until January 19, reports LoHud. The expansion follows weeks of reported drone sightings across the mid-Atlantic region.

The latest restriction creates a 1-nautical-mile radius no-drone zone centered on the Teterboro VOR/DME navigation system, extending up to 400 feet above ground level. Only specific operations related to national defense, homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting, search and rescue, or disaster response are permitted within the restricted airspace. Commercial drone operations may continue only with a valid statement of work or approved special government interest airspace waiver.

This development follows the FAA’s December implementation of similar restrictions at 22 locations across New Jersey, including Jersey City. The agency later expanded these restrictions on December 30, citing unspecified “special security reasons.” The comprehensive list of newly restricted areas includes:

New York City Boroughs:

• Brooklyn
• Bronx (two locations)
• Queens
• Staten Island (two locations)
• Multiple Manhattan locations including Hudson Yards

Long Island Regions:

• Calverton
• Commack (two locations)
• Far Rockaway
• Garden City
• Glenwood Landing (two locations)
• Hicksville
• Holbrook
• Holtsville
• Melville
• Northport
• Oceanside
• Ridge
• Setauket
• Shoreham

Northern Suburbs:

• New Castle
• New Hyde Park
• Roslyn Heights
• Yonkers

The restrictions affect a substantial portion of New York City’s most densely developed areas. Hudson Yards, bounded by West 30th Street, 7th and 8th Avenues, West 43rd Street, and 12th Avenue, represents one of Manhattan’s newest and most significant development projects. Its proximity to Teterboro Airport, a crucial general aviation facility serving the New York metropolitan area, likely factored into the FAA’s decision.

These widespread restrictions pose significant challenges for legitimate drone operations, including those supporting infrastructure inspection, real estate photography, and news gathering. Operators must now navigate an increasingly complex patchwork of restricted areas while maintaining compliance with existing airspace regulations.

The timing and scope of these restrictions raise questions about specific security concerns driving the FAA’s actions. While the agency typically implements temporary flight restrictions in response to specific threats or vulnerabilities, the broad geographic distribution and extended duration of these restrictions suggest a more systematic approach to protecting critical infrastructure from potential UAS-related risks.

For commercial drone operators in the affected areas, the restrictions underscore the importance of maintaining current documentation and being prepared to demonstrate compliance with special use authorizations. The situation also highlights the growing tension between security requirements and the expanding commercial drone industry, particularly in densely populated urban areas.

The FAA’s actions reflect the ongoing challenge of balancing national security concerns with the legitimate use of drone technology in urban environments. As drone capabilities continue to advance, similar restrictions may become more common around critical infrastructure sites, potentially reshaping the operational landscape for commercial UAS operations in major metropolitan areas.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​