Canyon de Chelly Air Tour Ban Affects 300,000 Visitors

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Commercial air tours over Canyon de Chelly National Monument will cease operations within 180 days from December 19, as announced by NPS and FAA.

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The ban stretches 800 meters beyond monument boundaries, forcing tour operators like Southwest Safaris to end decades of aerial tourism.

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Canyon de Chelly's 80,000-acre expanse drew over 300,000 visitors in 2023, now pivoting exclusively to ground-based exploration models.

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Superintendent Lyn Carranza backs the ban to protect sacred Navajo lands, including prehistoric villages dating from 350 to 1300 A.D

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The Southwest Safaris owner voices industry frustration: "Now the agencies have alienated the community against us. And we're just left speechless

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The 1986 Grand Canyon air tour collision claiming 25 lives sparked nationwide park flight restrictions and safety protocols

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National Park Air Tour Management Act demands FAA approval plus management plans developed through NPS, FAA, and tribal collaboration.

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Mount Rushmore, Bandelier, and Mount Rainier parks implemented similar flight bans, with Rainier allowing just one annual tour.

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The 180-day transition period starting December 19 pushes operators toward business model restructuring or alternative locations.

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Visitors retain access to guided ground tours exploring prehistoric villages, archaeological treasures, and the towering Spider Rock spire.

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[{"selector":"#anim-eb7ea3ce-dfa8-42be-9531-1afbe496eb2f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-294bbe30-5e54-43a4-84ca-63fd9a1ed93e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-87db6cad-7319-452d-a79c-ed003bbc48b7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.50152%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6a954f95-c10f-43e6-88cc-f7fbc45cca22","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b126db34-dd88-4431-bf8d-c268fcc2bafa","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.55555%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":700,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Florida Invests $317M to Conserve 87,000 Acres, Protecting Wildlife Learn more