STATEN ISLAND, NY –
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) was joined on April 24 by local residents and leaders of civic associations to address growing concerns over the frequency of helicopter tours following a recent tour helicopter crash in the Hudson River. Malliotakis called for stricter regulations on non-essential helicopter tours, which frequently fly at low altitudes over densely populated residential neighborhoods including those on Staten Island.
Malliotakis shared that her office has been in regular contact with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) including having met with FAA Eastern Region Administrators since last year, and with U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to relay ongoing concerns from residents about low-flying helicopters over Staten Island, with some reported as frequently as every 10 to 15 minutes.
She emphasized that the recent fatal helicopter crash underscores the urgent need for tighter regulations and proposed a ban on non-essential helicopter flights over residential communities in municipalities of 5 million residents or more.
At a minimum, Malliotakis says the FAA must impose strict altitude requirements, enforceable no-fly zones to protect residential neighborhoods, and a reduction in non-essential helicopter flights.
“The tragic crash that claimed six lives in the Hudson River isn’t an isolated event, it’s the clearest sign yet of an industry that’s operated without meaningful oversight for too long. Helicopter tour companies are flying low and often over our neighborhoods, disturbing daily life in ways that are simply unacceptable,” said Malliotakis. “This a public safety issue, and it needs to be addressed. I will continue to work with Secretary Sean Duffy and the FAA to keep pushing for stronger protections until our communities are no longer under constant aerial assault.”
“We should not feel like we’re living on an airport runway. No one should have to retreat to their basement just to escape the relentless noise. Our neighborhoods are not just homes — they are living history, with landmarks that predate the American Revolution”, said Carol Donovan, President of Richmondtown & Clarke Avenue Civic Association, adding that “these historic treasures, like our peace of mind, are being threatened by the constant barrage of low-flying helicopters. This is not sustainable, and it is not acceptable. We are a residential community — not an airport terminal”.
“Historic Richmond Town stewards the largest collection of the oldest houses in all of New York State. These precious landmark buildings are important not just to our borough, city and state but to the nation”, noted Jessica Baldwin Philips, Executive Director, and CEO of Historic Richmond Town. “When I hear from our local residential neighbors that they have possible structural damage to their homes because of the commercial helicopters that fly over our neighborhood every 15 minutes, it gives my cultural organization great cause for concern regarding the long-term safety of these 38 historic structures”.
“This is not just one tragic accident, this is one of many accidents that has happened already, and some we don’t even know about. This has to stop now. We kindly ask the FAA cease and to strip all operations of helicopters flying over Staten Island and over our residential homes, it needs to stop now”, stressed Joe McAllister, President of South Beach Civic Association.
“Staten Island is densely populated and must be recognized as the congested area it is — not a flight path for tourism”, said Mario Buonviaggio, President of Port Richmond North Shore Alliance, thanking Rep. Malliotakis for standing with them in this fight. “It’s clear these flights pose a serious risk”, he stated, while Mark Anderson, President of Westerleigh Improvement Society, said that “this reckless disregard for our well-being must end now”.
“These helicopter tour operators have turned our neighborhoods into playgrounds for tourist excursions. For years now, tourist helicopters have descended on our area, flying low, rattling our homes and windows, and disrupting what used to be peaceful evenings…. These helicopters fly low over our neighborhoods— who’s to say the next incident doesn’t involve a helicopter plunging into one of our homes or businesses”, said James Tonrey, Richmondtown Resident.
