Kathy Hochul's helicopter returns to Albany after a week of budget and airport labor news

The Sikorsky S-76D helicopter registered as N761NY, operated by the New York State Police Aviation Unit, was tracked making an 11-minute flight from Wayne Delp Airport (33NY) to Albany International Airport (KALB) on June 26, 2026, arriving just after 9 p.m. local time.

If Kathy Hochul was aboard, the flight would land the same week New York's $269 billion FY 2027 budget was finalized nearly two months late, as reported by NY Focus. The budget includes a new surcharge on luxury second homes in New York City and a path to universal childcare, but also drew criticism for rolling back parts of the state's climate law. Separately, Hochul rallied with labor leaders at LaGuardia Airport on June 25 to announce enhancements to the Healthy Terminals Act, which improves wages and health benefits for airport workers, per a governor's office transcript.

The helicopter's previous flight on June 25 originated near Newburgh, a base for the state police aviation unit, suggesting a pattern of short-duration executive transport within the state. Hochul has faced scrutiny for her use of state aircraft, including the commandeering of a New York Power Authority plane, as detailed by the New York Post in 2022.