View from Hawk Hill of Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. Photo NPS 

December 8, 2025 – SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Park Service announce the availability of a proposed commercial air tour management voluntary agreement for Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, and Point Reyes National Seashore.  

This agreement will replace the current Air Tour Management Plan, which was finalized on January 11, 2023, but cannot remain in effect due to a court order. This agreement maintains similar operating conditions to the ATMP and would continue to guide the FAA and NPS in the management of commercial air tours over the San Francisco Bay Area parks. The proposed agreement addresses many unique challenges while improving the condition of park resources and ensuring safe air tour operations. It was developed between the FAA, three air tour operators, and NPS.  

A 30-day public review period on the proposed agreement begins on December 2, 2025. Public comments can be submitted through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website from December 2, 2025, through January 2, 2026. The plan and information to provide public comments can be found online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/bayareaairtours25. 

The National Parks Air Tour Management Act allows the FAA and NPS to enter into voluntary agreements with commercial air tour operators. A voluntary agreement manages commercial air tour operations over a national park by establishing conditions for the conduct of the air tour flights. Implementation of a voluntary agreement helps protect park resources and the visitor experience without compromising aviation safety or the air traffic control system.   

Please visit this NPS site and this FAA site for more general information about air tour management plans and voluntary agreements. 

Source & photo: NPS