Government Seeks New Limits on Grand Canyon Air Tours

The government wants to reduce noise pollution at the Grand Canyon by banning air tours over 87% of the park and limiting the hours that sightseeing planes can fly over the rest.

The Interior and Transportation departments announced proposed rules Friday that also would cap the number of flights allowable over the canyon each year.

In addition, the new rules would prohibit commercial sightseeing flights before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m. in summer, as well as before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. in winter.

The total number of annual flights in the next two years would be limited to the number flown between Aug. 1, 1995, and July 31, 1996.

“This proposal makes good on the president’s promise to restore natural quiet to the Grand Canyon while still permitting sightseeing access,” said Transportation Secretary Federico Pena.

The proposed new areas where flights would be banned include Marble Canyon and the Sanup Plateau.

Flying has been banned over about 45% of the Grand Canyon for several years. Eight years ago, after a number of aircraft accidents, the Federal Aviation Administration imposed altitude rules and established specific air corridors for air-tour operators at the canyon.

The tour operators are likely to challenge the proposal on the ground that it too harshly restricts tourists’ chance to enjoy the canyon’s spectacular views from the air.

During summer, more than 10,000 visitors a day take sightseeing flights to get bird’s-eye views of the canyon.

About 40 air-tour companies fly an estimated 800,000 people over the canyon annually.

The proposed rules will be open for public comment for 60 days.