NYC Council passes bill banning certain helicopter flights weeks after fatal crash

New York City's helicopter tourism industry could be changed forever if a bill just passed by the City Council becomes law. Thursday's vote on the Helicopter Oversight Act, which bans certain nonessential flights, came two weeks after six people were killed when a sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River. NYC Council passes ban on certain helicopter flightsThe Helicopter Oversight Act requires operators of nonessential helicopter flights to upgrade to safer, greener and quieter aircraft in order to continue using New York City heliports. "This bill would prohibit nonessential helicopter flights, like luxury and sightseeing tourist from using the city-run heliports, unless they meet the [Federal Aviation Administration's] strictest noise standards," Council Majority Leader Amanda Farias said. The bill calls for improved enforcement and transparency around helicopter flights in the city's airspace and urges a shift to quieter, low-emission electric aircraft, which councilmembers say are safer. "If the helicopter industry wants to continue to operate here in New York City, they have to convert to safer and quieter helicopters. If they don't, nonessential helicopter flights will not be allowed," Councilman Keith Powers said.The proposal was in the works for years before the deadly crash on April 10 that killed a family of five from Spain and the pilot, but lawmakers said the tragedy underscored the need to modernize industry safety. "We're renewing out calls for the FAA and the U.S. Department of Transportation to get involved," Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis said during an event Thursday on Staten Island. Sen. Chuck Schumer previously accused helicopter tour companies of using a legal loophole to sidestep safety safety rules. Aviation groups say NYC helicopter ban bill is illegal and unenforceableThis week, however, a coalition of aviation groups sent a letter to the City Council calling the helicopter resolution illegal and unenforceable. "There are ways to help our industry move in the direction that this legislation claims to want to move us in," Josh Rousseau, with Vertical Aviation International, said. "Better ways, in our judgement, than banning this and banning that. And really, we should leave safety of the airspace to the professionals and to the experts." Mayor Eric Adams must sign the bill in order for it to become law. We reached out to his office for comment and are waiting to hear back. If Adams signs the bill, all nonessential operators would have to upgrade to newer model helicopters by 2029. While it only impacts New York City, lawmakers are calling for New Jersey to do the same. The FAA declined to comment on the bill's passage, saying they do not speak on pending legislation.