News Release

National Park Service and Federal Aviation Administration Announce Proposed Air Tour Management Voluntary Agreement for Statue of Liberty and Governors Island National Monuments

Date: October 21, 2022
Contact: Jeffrey Olson

Statue of Liberty National Monument, New York City – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS) announce the availability of a proposed commercial air tour management voluntary agreement for Statue of Liberty National Monument and Governors Island National Monument. This agreement guides the FAA and NPS in the management of commercial air tours over these two parks. The public review period has been reopened for 30 additional days ending December 30, 2022.

The National Parks Air Tour Management Act (NPATMA) allows the FAA and NPS to enter into voluntary agreements with commercial air tour operators. A voluntary agreement manages commercial air tour operations over national parks by establishing conditions for the conduct of the air tour flights. Implementation of a voluntary agreement helps protect park resources and the visitor experience without compromising aviation safety or the air traffic control system.

Commercial air tours of Statue of Liberty National Monument and Governors Island National Monument have occurred for many years without NPATMA-defined operating parameters. The proposed voluntary agreement would establish operating parameters to ensure protection of national park resources and values and visitor experience without compromising aviation safety.

Public comments can be submitted through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website here through December 30. The draft voluntary agreement and Frequently Asked Questions are available on the PEPC website.

Please visit this NPS site and this FAA site for more detailed information about air tour management plans and voluntary agreements.
 

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