City Hall, NY —  Today, the New York City Council voted to pass Intro 26-A, legislation sponsored by Council Majority Leader Amanda Farías that will prohibit non-essential helicopter flights from city-owned heliports unless they meet the most stringent FAA noise standards. This historic vote comes a year after the City Council’s oversight hearing on helicopters, and just two weeks after a tragic sightseeing helicopter crash along the Hudson River claimed six lives, reigniting widespread calls for action.

“Intro 26-A is a commonsense step toward a safer, quieter, and more sustainable New York City,” said Majority Leader Farías. “Non-essential helicopter traffic has long disrupted daily life for New Yorkers, especially those living under frequent flight paths. By passing this bill, we’re holding our city to a higher standard, one that prioritizes public safety, innovation, and community wellness.”

The bill prohibits helicopters operating for non-essential purposes, such as tourism and luxury commuting, that fail to meet the FAA’s strictest “stage 3” noise certification standards from using the city-run East 34th Street and Downtown Manhattan heliports. Essential flights, including those for public safety, law enforcement, news, and film production, are exempt.

The ban on non-stage 3 helicopters will be incorporated into the contracts between the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and heliport operators, requiring operators to meet this standard. The measure takes effect in late 2029, allowing time for industry transition, while EDC will be required to report on the current share of flights that do not meet the stage 3 standard, ensuring full transparency in the years leading up to full implementation.

While the FAA controls airspace, Intro 26-A uses municipal control over heliport operations as a powerful tool to limit the use of outdated, fossil fuel-powered helicopters and push the industry toward quieter, cleaner alternatives. Many of the most commonly used tourist models are not only the loudest, but also the most carbon-intensive, emitting up to 950 pounds of carbon dioxide per hour, more than 40 times that of the average car.

Farías, who also chairs the Council’s Economic Development Committee, has led oversight hearings and worked closely with stakeholders including Stop the Chop NY/NJ, NYCEDC, heliport operators, environmental advocates, and impacted residents. The bill’s passage marks a major win for public health, and quality of life, especially in communities like the South Bronx and Lower Manhattan, which bear the brunt of non-essential helicopter traffic.

Today’s vote also included companion resolutions:

  • Resolution 85-A, introduced by Council Member Jim Gennaro, urges the FAA to support a nationwide transition to electric helicopters.
  • Resolutions 226-A and 233, introduced by Council Member Gale Brewer, call for greater enforcement and transparency around helicopter operations and emissions.

Council Member Keith Powers said, “Not only are helicopters noisy and carbon-intensive, they are dangerous. The tragedy in the Hudson this month follows another crash in the East River in 2018, which resulted in the death of five people. I have long called for non-essential helicopter flights, like for sightseeing tours or luxury travel, to be regulated, and with the grief of the most recent crash fresh in New Yorkers’ minds, the issue is more urgent than ever.”

“Res. 226-A and Res. 233-A call on the State and Federal governments to ban non-essential helicopter travel over New York City, including choppers operated for sightseeing tours or conducting photography, videography, or similar production activities. It is infuriating that the City of New York lacks the legal authority to regulate its own helicopter traffic,” said Council Member Gale A. Brewer. “Res. 226-A supports State legislation proposed by to Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Tony Simone, my West Side colleagues in Albany, to end non-essential helicopter takeoffs and landings at the E. 34 Street Heliport, the W. 30 Street Heliport, and the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. Res. 233-A calls on the Federal Aviation Administration to go a step further by banning all non-essential helicopter travel over New York City, regardless of origin or destination.”

“Intro 26-A is an important step toward reducing noise pollution and harmful emissions,” said Council Member James F. Gennaro, Chair of the New York City Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection, Resiliency & Waterfronts. “We cannot ignore the environmental cost of outdated, fossil fuel-powered helicopters. By prioritizing quieter and cleaner aircraft, we are making real progress toward a healthier and greener New York City. I thank Council Member Farias for her leadership on this issue, and am proud to support Intro-26A. The passage of my accompanying Resolution 85-A,  will also play an important role in urging the FAA toward a more sustainable future. Today was a victory!”

“Helicopter flights cause harmful noise and air pollution impacting the quality of life of all New Yorkers, especially the communities living on along our waterfront. I look forward to passing this bill as a positive step in mitigating the negative impacts of helicopters in our airspace,” said Council Member Lincoln Restler.

“The unchecked rise in non-essential helicopter flights isn’t just a nuisance. It’s a dangerous and unnecessary source of pollution,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “I’m proud to co-sponsor Majority Leader Farías’ Intro 26-A, which will impose the strongest FAA noise standards yet on non-essential helicopter flights from city-owned heliports. This legislation is a critical step toward reducing noise pollution, cutting carbon emissions, and protecting environmental justice communities. The urgency of this bill is undeniable, especially during Earth Month and in light of the tragic Hudson River crash just two weeks ago. It’s time to clear  our skies and prioritize the health and safety of New Yorkers.”

“Stop the Chop NY/NJ thanks Majority Leader Amanda Farias as she and the New York City Council advance legislation today that we hope will better regulate nonessential helicopter operations in New York City. The dangers of helicopters over the densely populated New York metropolitan area have been known for decades. In addition to the safety risks, every day nonessential helicopter traffic imposes on tax-paying residents unhealthy noise and air pollution, wasteful fossil fuel emissions, as well as degradation to our quality of life. We hope Intro 0026-A will be a first step towards a total ban of nonessential helicopters (sightseeing and commuter) in New York City – something for which Stop the Chop NY/NJ has been advocating since its founding in 2014.” said Melissa Elstein, Board Chair & Secretary of Stop the Chop NY/NJ. 

###

For media inquiries, please contact:
Nathalie Levey | Director of Communications, Majority Leader Amanda Farías
nlevey@council.nyc.gov | (332) 227-2157