The governor of New York has faced criticism for her excessive usage of private jets. Kathy Hochul and her team reportedly spent more than $400,000 on charter aircraft in recent years, which critics said contradicts her long-standing position as a climate fighter.
What were the flights?
According to the New York Post, Hochul has taken at least 30 private jet flights since 2021. Using state Board of Elections data, the Post determined that the trips cost a total of $415,000 and were paid for by her campaign committee.
According to documents, the Governor has flown with two charter aircraft companies over the last four years. The first company was Zephyr Jets, headquartered in New York City.
According to its website, Zephyr Jets can offer its clients access to 3,500 executive jet aircraft and helicopters in over 6,000 airports globally with as little as four hours’ notice. The remaining flights were operated by Apollo Jets, a subsidiary of the XO jet group headquartered in Fort Lauderdale.
Because of the Governor’s tight security and secrecy agreements with charter jet operators, the origins and destinations of each journey were not made public.
However, the statistics revealed that the cheapest tickets cost $5,000 and the most costly vacation cost $38,594.00. Hochul spokesman Brian Lenzmeier told the Post that the travels were exclusively for lawful campaign activities:
The New York State Democratic Committee paid an extra $75,000 for four private flights in 2021 and 2022, which the Post suspects were for Governor Hochul.
Simple Flying contacted the Governor’s office and the New York State Democratic Committee for clarification, but had received no answer as of press time.
How much do flights generally cost?
Apollo Jets does not provide hourly prices online; instead, it responds to quote requests for specific flight hours, routes, and aircraft.
Zepher Jets provides a useful table with estimated prices for their most popular aircraft models. A turboprop, like as the King Air used by the Governor for official state business, costs approximately $1,500 per hour to charter.
Light jets, such as a Learjet or a smaller Cessna Citation, cost around $2,000 per hour, with members receiving discounts. Larger jets cost substantially more. A Dassault Falcon typically costs $4-5,000 per hour, while a Bombardier Global Express or Gulfstream V can cost up to $8,900.
The Governor has access to the New York State Police’s aircraft and helicopters for official trips. The aircraft can only be used for the primary purpose of discharging a State officer’s public responsibilities and conducting legitimate State business.
It cannot be used to transport officials as a regular mode of daily commuting between their homes and official workstations unless a security assessment by the State Police is warranted.
The Governor must record time spent on State and non-state purposes and reimburse the State (based on current charter costs, not commercial flight rates) for personal or campaign-related trips. She has done so.
Hochul is not alone in receiving criticism for his frequent usage of private or charter flights. Pennsylvania’s Governor uses the State Department of Transportation’s Beechcraft King Air 350i far more than his predecessor.
In 2023, the plane accumulated more than nine days of travel time, paying taxpayers $410,000, the highest amount paid for state flights since 2011.
Why has New York Governor Kathy Hochul spent over $400K on private jet flights?
Governor Hochul’s private jet flights are part of her official travel for government-related duties, meetings, and events across New York and beyond.
How are the costs of Governor Hochul’s private jet flights funded?
The costs are typically covered through state funds allocated for official government travel, sparking debates about expense justification.
What is the public reaction to Governor Hochul’s travel expenses?
The public and political opponents have raised concerns about transparency, cost efficiency, and the environmental impact of frequent private jet usage.
Does Governor Hochul’s use of private jets align with state travel policies?
While private jets are permitted for official state business, critics question whether alternative, more cost-effective travel options were considered.
What steps has Governor Hochul’s office taken to address concerns about travel expenses?
Governor Hochul’s office has stated that all travel is conducted in compliance with state policies and necessary for fulfilling her responsibilities.