Dozens of elected officials from New York and New Jersey come together to urge Mayor de Blasio to ban helicopter sightseeing tours over the Hudson River.

US Senator Robert Menendez calling for a ban on helicopter sightseeing tours citing concerns about the health, welfare and safety of the two million people living underneath their flight path.

A joint press conference assembled by US Senator Robert Menendez and US Congressmen Jerrold Nadler and Albio Sires was held on Friday, August 8 calling for a complete ban on sightseeing helicopter tours over the Hudson River.  A letter signed by 21 New York lawmakers including Congressional representatives Nadler and Nydia Velazquez and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, citing diminished quality of life, health and safety concerns, was sent to Mayor de Blasio urging him to ban these tours.  A letter signed by New Jersey lawmakers was also sent to the FAA urging it to do the same and emphasizing that the tour operators will not be welcome in NJ should their operations close in New York.  See both letters below.  Further details can be found here.