The National Park Service and Federal Aviation Administration released draft plans on May 15 to limit commercial air tours at Haleakala and Hawaii Volcanoes National Parks, according to a news release.

What You Need To Know

  • The proposals are the result of a court order

  • The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park had the highest number of air tours of any national park in 2019

  • The proposal for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park would allow 1,565 air tours per year. Currently, there are about 11,376 flights per year

  • The proposal for Haleakala National Park would allow 2,412 air tours per year. Currently, there are about 4,824 air tours per year

The proposals hope to mitigate adverse effects on visitors’ experiences and the cultural and environmental resources of the parks. This would be achieved by limiting the number of air tours, restricting the times and days when air tours would be allowed, designating routes and more.

The proposals would also put the NPS and FAA in compliance with the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000. In May 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Washington, D.C., ordered the two federal agencies to comply with the act after the Hawaiian Island Coalition Malama Pono and the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility sued. The agencies are now required to make plans to limit air tours over 23 national parks.

In 2019, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park had the highest number of air tours, and Haleakala had the fifth highest number of air tours out of all the national parks, according to a NPS report.

The proposal for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park would allow for 1,565 air tours per year on three defined routes. Currently, 10 operators run about 11,376 flights per year. It would designate Sunday as a no-fly day. On Wednesdays, only “quiet-technology” flights (electric aircraft that run on lithium-ion batteries) would be allowed between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On other days, the proposal would limit flight times from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for non-quiet-technology flights, while quiet-technology flights would be allowed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The proposal for Haleakala National Park would allow 2,412 air tours per year on a defined route. Currently, six operators run about 4,824 air tours per year. It would designate Sundays and Wednesdays as no-fly days. On the other days, air tours would be allowed between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., while quiet-technology flights would be allowed until 4 p.m. After 2033, only quiet-technology flights would be allowed.

The agencies are accepting public input on the proposals for Haleakala and Hawaii Volcanoes National Parks until June 16. The proposals will be completed by Dec. 31, 2023.

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.