New York Stewart International Airport was temporarily shut down on Friday night after mysterious drones appeared in its airspace, prompting heightened concerns from state and federal officials. New York Governor Kathy Hochul, calling the situation unacceptable, demanded federal intervention, stating, "This has gone too far."
The airport, located in Orange County, approximately 60 miles north of Manhattan, closed its runways from 9:40 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. following a report of drone activity by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). A spokesperson for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed the closure but said there were no disruptions to flight operations.
The incident at Stewart Airport is the latest in a series of unexplained drone sightings that have raised alarms across the Northeast. Over the past month, drones have been reported in multiple states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Massachusetts. Some of these sightings occurred near major transportation hubs such as LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, intensifying fears about the security of critical infrastructure.
In a statement on Saturday, Hochul reiterated her directive for the New York State Intelligence Center to investigate the drone activity. She also urged Congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act, a bill aimed at expanding the ability of state and local law enforcement to counter and mitigate unmanned aircraft system (UAS) threats. "Extending these powers to New York State and our peers is essential," Hochul said. "Until those powers are granted, the Biden Administration must step in by directing additional federal law enforcement resources to the region."
The drones' origin and purpose remain unknown, though federal authorities, including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), have stated that there is currently no evidence linking the sightings to national security threats or foreign adversaries. In a recent statement, the FBI said that it has received over 3,000 tips related to drone sightings. However, the agency emphasized that no credible evidence has emerged to suggest a coordinated or malicious intent.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy echoed Hochul's concerns, issuing a letter to President Joe Biden on Friday requesting increased federal resources to address the drone activity. Murphy noted that since November 18, New Jersey State Police have received numerous reports of unidentified drones, particularly over sensitive areas. "It has become apparent that more resources are needed to fully understand what is behind this activity," Murphy wrote, calling for congressional reauthorization of counter-UAS authority to empower state and local law enforcement with advanced detection capabilities.
The bipartisan push for federal intervention comes amid broader public speculation. On Friday night, President-elect Donald Trump added his voice to the debate, suggesting that the Biden administration might be withholding information about the drones. "Mystery Drone sightings all over the country. Can this really be happening without our government's knowledge?" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "Otherwise, shoot them down!!!"
While officials continue to investigate, the frequency of drone sightings has led to significant disruptions and public concern. Coast Guard sailors, local police, and commercial pilots have all reported encounters with unidentified drones, primarily at night. The drones' presence has raised questions about gaps in current drone detection technology and regulatory oversight.
The FAA has faced mounting pressure to strengthen its approach to managing drone activity. Under current regulations, drones are prohibited from operating near airports or critical infrastructure without explicit authorization. However, enforcing these rules has proven challenging, particularly with the increasing accessibility of advanced drone technology.
Meanwhile, New York and New Jersey are ramping up local investigations in collaboration with federal agencies. State officials have warned that without immediate action, the potential risks posed by unauthorized drones could escalate, endangering public safety and national security.
