CANYON DE CHELLY NATIONAL MONUMENT, Ariz. — New regulations will soon prohibit commercial air tours over Canyon de Chelly National Monument in northeastern Arizona, following a plan that has received approval from both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Park Service.

According to a statement from the park service, this plan was finalized on Thursday and is set to be implemented in 180 days, unless legal challenges arise. The regulation will prevent air tours not only over the monument itself but also within a half mile (approximately 800 meters) of its boundaries.

Lyn Carranza, the park superintendent, emphasized that this ban is aimed at protecting the cultural and spiritual importance of the land to the Navajo Nation. “The Air Tour Management Plan for Canyon de Chelly National Monument acknowledges the unique relationship between nations regarding decisions that impact the park and is crucial for preserving one of the Southwest’s key archaeological landscapes,” Carranza stated.

Canyon de Chelly National Monument is situated in the Four Corners region and falls within the Navajo Nation, making it one of the most frequented national monuments in the United States. The park is distinguished by its dramatic sandstone cliffs and the impressive Spider Rock spire, which towers at 800 feet (244 meters). Visitors can also find prehistoric rock art throughout the monument, showcasing the long-standing presence of Native Americans in the area.

History shows that air tours above national parks and monuments began as early as the 1930s. During the construction of the Hoover Dam on the Arizona-Nevada border, helicopter pilots would conduct flyovers for the families of workers involved in the project. Over the decades, these sightseeing flights gained popularity, particularly at places like Grand Canyon National Park, which is a prime location for air tour operators. Other notable parks that have become popular for air tours include Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Haleakala National Park, home to an active volcano.

Supporters of air tours argue that they provide a thrilling experience for visitors, particularly benefiting those who are elderly or have disabilities, allowing them to glimpse the beauty of the parks. In contrast, critics assert that these flights pose unnecessary safety risks and disrupt the natural serenity, with loud helicopter noise overshadowing the peaceful sounds of nature, thus detracting from the visitor experience and affecting local tribal members.

In response to safety concerns, regulations were introduced in 1986 to establish designated flight paths and minimum altitude requirements after a tragic collision between two tour aircraft over the Grand Canyon resulted in the deaths of 25 individuals. Today, various helicopter tours continue to operate, with departure points from cities such as Las Vegas and Sedona, Arizona.

To manage air tours effectively, the park service collaborates with the FAA under the National Park Air Tour Management Act of 2000. This law mandates that tour operators seeking to conduct commercial air tours must obtain FAA approval. Additionally, the law requires the FAA, along with the park service, to create management plans for air tours in national parks and surrounding tribal areas where applications are submitted.

Canyon de Chelly is the final national park unit among approximately two dozen where the group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility advocated for restrictions on aerial tours. Other national parks that are implementing or will implement bans on commercial flyovers in the near future include Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota, Glacier National Park in Montana, and Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico. Death Valley National Park allows only a maximum of two air tours each year along the California-Nevada border.