The National Park Service (NPS) and the FAA have issued a long-awaited air tour management plan (ATMP) for Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park that drastically curtails the number of sightseeing flights allowed within the park’s boundaries. While existing levels are more than 11,000 flights a year, the ATMP will limit that number to just more than 1,500 on three specific routes through the park that avoid the summit of Kīlauea and other cultural, natural, and visitor-use resources.
Tours will generally be restricted to between 10 am and 2 pm local time on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, while specially designated "quiet technology" aircraft—understood to include the Airbus Helicopters H130—would be allowed to fly on those days from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., in addition to Wednesdays.
All air tour flights would be forbidden on Sundays, as well as on eight specific Hawaiian holidays and remembrance days.
The ATMP—which addresses and responds to concerns identified during consultations and through public comment—was developed in cooperation with stakeholders representing a variety of interests, including Native Hawaiian organizations, other land management agencies, local communities, and recreation groups.
“The ATMP is more than 20 years in the making,” said Rhonda Loh, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park superintendent, as she gave thanks to everyone who provided input for its drafting. “It greatly reduces the number of low-flying air tours over the park to protect the natural and cultural resources, the wilderness character, and general visitor experience.”
The FAA has 180 days to introduce the plan into the operation specifications, after which it will go into effect.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is one of several with an air tour plan developed or under development by the NPS and FAA to meet the requirements of the National Parks Air Tour Management Act. Each plan is tailored to meet the individual park’s purpose, the NPS mission, and the FAA’s dedication to aviation safety.