Move to Curb Grand Canyon Flights Decried

Tourism officials and air charter operators joined together Friday night to protest any efforts to curb scenic flights that carry more than 400,000 people a year over the Grand Canyon.

“The people that take these flights are a very important part of our market,” said Bill Reid of the Las Vegas Convention Authority. “Eighty percent of the international visitors to Las Vegas will go to the Grand Canyon.”

Air tour operators said they fly 48,000 flights a year from the Las Vegas area to the Grand Canyon. They are worried that the National Park Service will restrict flights over the area to appease environmentalists who contend the flights create noise pollution.

Second of Five Hearings

The hearing Friday was the second of five the Park Service is conducting to determine if the flights by light plane and helicopter should be curtailed.

About 100 people attended Friday’s session, and most spoke against any restrictions on the aircraft that fly over the canyon.

“We owe it to everyone on earth to see the canyon,” said Alice Bauer, former owner of a helicopter company that flies over the canyon. “No one faction should keep another out.”

Call for Helipads

Bauer’s husband, Ken, called for the construction of helipads on the canyon floor so tourists can explore the bottom of the canyon without having to make an arduous hike in and out of the area.

“This way people can experience the beauty of the bottom of the canyon without being athletes,” Bauer said.

Also speaking against any restrictions was Lt. Col. Wayne Schnell, an Air Force spokesman.

“We consider the airspace above this area to be a natural resource,” Schnell said.