ATMP mandates fewer flights over Hawaii volcanoes

(BIVN) – The amount of air travel flying over Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will be significantly reduced under a newly completed air travel management plan.

After years of discussion and delays, the National Park Service and the Federal Aviation Administration completed the ATMP on December 20, 2023.

The ATMP was developed over 20 years ago. It significantly reduces the number of low-altitude flights over the park to protect natural and cultural resources, wilderness features and the general visitor experience, said Rhonda Loh, superintendent of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. We are very grateful for everyone’s input during this lengthy process.

Under the ATMP plan, air travel over national parks will continue, but the number of air trips per year will be reduced by 1,548 compared to the more than 11,300 flights currently allowed per year. Flights within a half-mile of the HVNP boundary would also be reduced “to protect natural and cultural resources, wilderness, the integrity of Native Hawaiian sacred and ceremonial areas, and the visitor experience.”

ATMP also requires no-fly days every Sunday and certain traditional Hawaiian holidays.

The National Park Service said that for the next 180 days and until operating specifications are revised, “operators will be allowed to continue to conduct air travel within the scope of the air travel management plan and until the restrictions of the temporary operating authorization.”

Specifically, the National Park Service said the plan:

• Authorizes up to 1,548 air trips per year on 3 specific routes within the scheme. This is a significant reduction from the current level of more than 11,300 flights per year.
• Flight tours are available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 2pm local time. Qualified air travel using silent technology may fly on these days and on Wednesdays from 9am to 5pm.
• Designate three aerial tourism routes that avoid the summit of Klauea and protect important cultural and natural resources, visitor use areas and park wilderness. Air travel will be limited to these routes.
• Sunday is a no-fly day.
• No-fly days occur during six traditional Hawaiian holidays: Makahiki End (usually in January), Zenith Noon (usually in May), Summer Solstice (June), Zenith Noon (usually in July), Ma The beginning of Kahiki (usually in October) and the winter solstice (December)
• The two-day No-Fly Day honors and honors important Hawaiian Island traditional figures: Ruth Keeliklani (February 9) and Bernice Pauahi Bishop Bishop) (December 19)

According to the National Park Service:

The air tourism management plan was developed in collaboration with stakeholders representing a variety of interests, including Native Hawaiian organizations, other land management agencies, local communities and recreation groups. The plan addresses and responds to the issues identified during these consultations and public comments.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of several national parks where the NPS and FAA have developed or are developing air travel management plans or voluntary agreements to meet the requirements of the National Parks Air Travel Management Act. Each air travel management plan or agreement is developed to manage commercial air travel in a manner consistent with the NPS mission, individual park purposes, and the FAA’s authority in aviation safety.

The final air tourism management plan is available on the Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website. Please visit the NPS Air Travel and FAA Air Travel Management Program websites to learn more about the Air Travel Management Program.