Helicopter tours of the Big Apple will become less of a noisy nuisance to city dwellers in 2017 under measures that will reduce such flights by 30,000 next year.
The move to slash helicopter sightseeing flights by 50 percent is part of agreement announced Sunday by the New York Economic Development Corporation and the Helicopter Tourism and Jobs Council.
It came more than two months after the New York City Council staged a public hearing after some council members proposed banning the helicopters. Residents complained that the sightseeing tours cause daylong noise and contribute to pollution.
Helicopter tour operators praised the deal, which came together Friday.
"This agreement will allow tour operators to continue providing good jobs for New Yorkers and more than $50 million in annual economic impact to the city," said Sam Goldstein, deputy director of the Helicopter Tourism and Jobs Council.
The agreement will also eliminate Sunday flights, beginning on April 1 and a reduce the total number of flights this year by 20 percent, starting on June 1.
