News Release

National Park Service Completes Bandelier National Monument Air Tour Management Plan

Date: March 5, 2024
Contact: Zachary Whitlow, [phone] ext. 1512

BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT, New Mexico – The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have completed an air tour management plan for Bandelier National Monument. The plan prohibits commercial air tours over the park and within one-half mile outside its boundary to protect natural and cultural resources, sacred Tribal places, wilderness areas, and visitor experiences.   
 
The plan was signed on February 29, 2024, and its operating parameters will take effect within 180 days. The operator currently offering commercial air tours over the park may continue to conduct air tours within the plan’s boundary up to the limit of their Interim Operating Authority and until their Operation Specifications are amended at which time no commercial air tours will be allowed within the air tour management plan boundary. 
 
“The Bandelier National Monument Air Tour Management Plan reflects the engagement and input by many stakeholders. Prohibiting commercial air tours protects the cultural and spiritual significance of these lands to Tribes, and ensures the park experience desired by visitors,” said Park Superintendent Patrick Suddath. 
  
The Air Tour Management Plan aligns with the park’s purpose and was developed in consultation with Tribal Nations with lands within or adjacent to Bandelier National Monument and with Tribes that attach historic and cultural significance to resources within the park. 
 
Bandelier National Monument is one of several national parks for which the NPS and FAA have developed or are currently developing an air tour management plan or voluntary agreement to meet the requirements of the National Parks Air Tour Management Act. Each air tour management plan or agreement is developed to manage commercial air tours in a way that is consistent with the NPS’s mission, the individual park’s purposes, and the FAA’s authority regarding aviation safety.    
   
The final air tour management plan is available at the Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) website here. Please visit NPS Air Tours and FAA’s Air Tour Management Plan site for more information about air tour management plans.