Malliotakis, Local Leaders Call for Tour Helicopters to Be Reined In

(STATEN ISLAND, NY) - Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis was joined 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 Congresswoman Nicole 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. 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," said Carol Donovan, President of Richmondtown & Clarke Avenue Civic Association.

“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. 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," said Jessica Baldwin Philips, Executive Director, and CEO of Historic Richmond Town.

“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,” said Joe McAllister, President of South Beach Civic Association.

“The Port Richmond North Shore Alliance stands with our community in demanding an end to low-flying tour helicopters over Staten Island’s residential neighborhoods. After the recent crash in the Hudson, it’s clear these flights pose a serious risk. Staten Island is densely populated and must be recognized as the congested area it is — not a flight path for tourism. Thank you to Congresswoman Malliotakis for standing with us in this fight,” said Mario Buonviaggio, President of Port Richmond North Shore Alliance.

“Westerleigh is not a backdrop for tourist entertainment — it's a robust neighborhood where people live, work, and raise families. Tour operators are terrorizing our communities with relentless, low-flying helicopters that shatter our peace and endanger our safety. This reckless disregard for our well-being must end now," said Mark Anderson, President of Westerleigh Improvement Society.

“I believe helicopters flying over Staten Island pose a serious danger to our communities — especially after the tragic crash just a month ago on Manhattan’s East Side, where a helicopter was in the air for only 17 minutes before going down, killing six people, including a family of five and the pilot. Imagine if that happened here, crashing into homes. It would be devastating. We shouldn't wait for a tragedy to act. Linden Airport should pay a little more and find a safer, alternate route to Manhattan — one that doesn’t put Staten Islanders at risk. Thank you Congresswoman Malliotakis, for standing up for what’s right and protecting our communities,” said Sal Monforte and George Tormo, Presidents of Midland Beach Civic Association. 

"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. There’s been some nights where my family and I could observe helicopters passing overhead every 5 minutes for hours at a time. We are very concerned about safety now following the incident in the Hudson this month. 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.

Watch The Press Conference HERE.