Air Tour Operators Ask Congress to Restore Their Access to National Parks

Federal plans to restrict park airspace could hurt businesses, critics say.

Jonathan Welsh

Wednesday, December 06, 2023 at 03:27 PM ET

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Helicopter tour operators are concerned about new restrictions over national parks. [Credit: iStock]

Key Takeaways:

Helicopter air tour operators, spearheaded by the Helicopter Association International (HAI), are actively challenging new FAA and National Park Service rules that restrict or eliminate air tours over national parks.
Operators argue that the new Air Tour Management Plans (ATMPs) were developed through a rushed process without adequate stakeholder input, leading to economically unviable operations and significant safety concerns.
Specific rules, such as those for Badlands and Mount Rushmore, mandate flights beyond a half-mile from park boundaries or above 5,000 feet AGL, aiming to protect natural resources, cultural sites, and visitor experience.
Congress appears sympathetic to the tour operators' concerns, noting potential adverse economic effects and limitations on public access, and has indicated that the ATMP process needs correction.

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Helicopter air tour operators continue to push back against new rules affecting how they conduct tours of national parks.

Members of the Helicopter Association International (HAI), a trade group representing the global helicopter industry, gave testimony before Congress, asking lawmakers to encourage the FAA and National Park Service to reconsider rules that limit or forbid air tour operations over certain national parks.