01/11/2024
The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently announced a new Air Tour Management Plan for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The plan aims to reduce the number of helicopter tours over the park to protect natural and cultural resources, wilderness, the integrity of Native Hawaiian sacred sites and ceremonial areas, and visitor experiences. The plan authorizes up to 1,548 air tours per year on three specific routes within the plan’s boundary, which is a significant reduction from existing levels of more than 11,300 flights per year. The air tours can occur between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. local time on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Qualifying air tours using quiet technology may fly from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on those days, as well as on Wednesdays.
The new plan also designates three air tour routes that avoid the summit of Kīlauea and protect key cultural and natural resources, visitor use areas, and park wilderness. Air tours will be limited to these routes. The plan identifies no-fly days to include Sundays and six traditional Hawaiian holidays.
The FAA and NPS prepared the draft plans without considering the economic impact of their decisions in a way that was biased against helicopter tours generally, according to Helicopter Association International, the 70-year-old industry association. They say that the new rules “would slash air tours by 86 percent at Volcanoes National Park (down from 11,000) and by 50 percent at Haleakala, impose burdensome additional costs to operators and, in some cases, increase the noise profile over residential areas and endanger safety.”
The new plan has been met with mixed reactions. While some people believe that the new plan is a good idea and will help preserve the park's natural beauty, others are concerned about the economic impact of the new rules on the helicopter tour industry.
If you are a helicopter tour operator, you may be wondering how this new plan will affect your business. The FAA and NPS have provided a draft Air Tour Management Plan (ATMP) with significant proposed changes and a massive reduction in helicopter tours for both Haleakala National Park and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. If you have any opinion on this, you are urged to comment before the June 20 deadline.
If you are a visitor to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you may be wondering how this new plan will affect your experience. While the new plan will reduce the number of helicopter tours over the park, it will also help preserve the park's natural beauty and protect key cultural and natural resources.
In conclusion, the new Air Tour Management Plan for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park aims to reduce the number of helicopter tours over the park to protect natural and cultural resources, wilderness, the integrity of Native Hawaiian sacred sites and ceremonial areas, and visitor experiences. The new plan has been met with mixed reactions, but it will help preserve the park's natural beauty and protect key cultural and natural resources. If you have any opinion on this, you are urged to comment before the June 20 deadline. Share this post with your friends and family to spread the word about the new Air Tour Management Plan and help preserve the beauty of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park! 🌋🚁🌺
