✈️ Met Gala Drives 43.5% Single-Week Surge in Teterboro Operations, Marking the Strongest Business Aviation Traffic Pulse in New York
Avi-Go data shows that during the Met Gala week of May 2–6, 2026, business aviation operations at New York Teterboro Airport (KTEB) reached 1,627 movements, a week-over-week increase of 43.5% compared to the baseline week (April 25–29) of 1,134 movements, representing a net gain of 493 movements. Arrivals jumped from 583 to 855, a surge of 46.7%, with a net inbound flow of 83 movements, confirming the typical pattern of concentrated passenger influx in the lead-up to major social events. Westchester County Airport (KHPN) recorded a week-over-week increase of 15.9% during the same period, with combined operations at both airports reaching 2,291 movements, up 34.2% from the baseline week. Notably, KHPN saw a significant year-over-year decline of 33.5% compared to the same period in 2025 (down from 998 to 664 movements), dragging the combined year-over-year figure for both airports down 10.5%. KTEB, by contrast, posted a modest year-over-year gain of 4.1%, further cementing its position as New York's preferred business aviation gateway.
Impact: KTEB absorbed the vast majority of incremental traffic during the Met Gala period, resulting in concentrated pressure on ramp space and ground handling resources. FBO operators faced extremely high capacity management challenges in the 48 to 72 hours preceding the event. The sharp year-over-year contraction at KHPN warrants a reassessment by operators of diversion strategies between the two airports and shifts in client preferences.
Recommendation: In preparation for the remaining major event windows in 2026 (such as the US Open and UN General Assembly week), FBOs and ground service providers at KTEB should complete ramp pre-allocation and staffing expansion plans at least two weeks prior to each event. Charter brokers are also advised to proactively communicate to clients during the quoting stage the viability of KHPN as an alternate airport, in order to distribute capacity risk away from KTEB during peak periods.