Ground broken for $48M expansion of Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach

Construction of a $48 million expansion at Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach kicked off with a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday, offering a "state-of-the-art" facility for the growing number of visitors flying to the East End when completed.

The expansion project comes as demand for services at the Suffolk County-owned airport — serving travelers visiting the Hamptons via private air travel — has outpaced supply in recent years, the project developer and county officials have said.

Orlando-based Signature Aviation will fund the development of 13 acres of vacant land into two new airport hangars, a 5,600-square-foot terminal building, a new aircraft parking ramp, a fueling station and additional parking. The new facility will be a "state-of-the-art" operation offering the "frictionless experience" expected by its clients, said Brad Williams, Signature’s chief operating officer.

"We see the growth and development" of the area, Williams said. "It’s a coveted destination for many. And we want to bring hospitality to the Hamptons."

Gabreski, also home to the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing, does not serve commercial airlines and is frequented by private planes and charter services.

The project is expected to begin welcoming aircraft this spring and to be fully completed in 2026.

Signature, which is owned by Bill Gates’  money management firm Cascade Investment as well as private equity firms Blackstone Group and BlackRock Inc., will operate the facility under a 30-year lease with the county. Sunset Jets, which has since been acquired by Signature, successfully bid for the contract in 2015 although the matter was tied up in litigation for several years after other developers challenged the process. Signature will pay Suffolk $40,000 per year as well as 5% to 8% of site revenue, according to county spokesman Peter Guaraldi.

Another operator, Modern Aviation, offers fuel and other aircraft support services at Gabreski.

The project is expected to increase annual operations at the airport, according to Signature’s draft environmental assessment submitted to the county. There were about 50,000 takeoffs and landings in 2023 which could grow to 75,000 by 2043, according to Signature’s projections. It would have grown to 65,000 in that time without the project, according to the assessment.

Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine said the development is expected to create 30 full time jobs and spur economic activity, particularly during destination events like the 2026 U.S. Open to be held at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in nearby Southampton.

"This is going to be an economic shot in the arm," he said.

But with the expansion comes worries over airport noise for some.

Airport noise has long been a hot-button issue on the East End, mostly around East Hampton Airport in Wainscott, as residents say the proliferation of private air travel has negatively impacted their quality of life. The county did not immediately provide the number of complaints made about airport noise in recent years.

Sharon Frost, a Westhampton Beach resident and member of the county’s Gabreski Airport Community Advisory and Review Board, said any expansion at the airport is a concern.

"There was one week during the summer where I pushed the button [to lodge a complaint via an app] 75 times," she said. "Even with my doors closed, I can hear them flying over my house."

Legis. Ann Welker (D-Southampton) said county officials try to address the noise complaints and noted the Federal Aviation Administration is reviewing new procedures that could mitigate noise for those living near the airport.

"We hear their concerns," she said. "We hope that with the [FAA's] approach procedure review and the opening up of alternative routes, their concerns will be addressed."

By Vera Chinese

vera.chinese@newsday.com@VeraChinese

Vera Chinese covers Suffolk County government and politics. She joined Newsday in 2017 after working as an editor for the East End lifestyle publication northforker and a general assignment reporter for the New York Daily News.