Private Jet Services Group (PJS), a subsidiary of Elevate Aviation Group, has recently filed a federal lawsuit against Westchester County and its airport’s executive director, April Gasparri, for alleged discrimination. PJS claims that they have been denied access to Westchester County Airport (KHPN) for their Boeing 757-200 charter flights.

In a news release sent to FLYING, PJS stated that while their flights were denied, Delta Air Lines was allowed to operate charter flights for MSG Sports, which includes the NBA’s New York Knicks and NHL’s New York Rangers, using similar Boeing 757-200 aircraft. PJS filed the complaint on Friday in the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, stating that this denial caused them to lose their brokerage contract with the Yellowstone Mountain Club for flights operated by New Pacific Airlines to Westchester County Airport.

The complaint further alleges that despite prior approvals and successful operations at Westchester County Airport, PJS and New Pacific Airlines were continuously denied access while Delta Air Lines was allowed to operate identical flights on behalf of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers. As a result of this discrimination, Yellowstone Mountain Club canceled their remaining four-year contract with PJS and New Pacific Airlines, resulting in a loss of $4. 8 million in revenue over that period. PJS is seeking an unspecified amount in compensatory damages to cover their financial losses.

According to PJS, this lawsuit brings attention to larger concerns regarding transparency, fairness, and equal access at a publicly funded airport. The company hopes that by taking legal action, they can prevent further discriminatory treatment and restore fair access to Westchester County Airport. PJS also hopes to shed light on the fact that the airport has undocumented policies that favor certain operators over others, which is a violation of federal regulations.

FLYING has reached out to Westchester County for comment on the matter.