New York's five helitour operators are bracing for further restrictions. Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) is expected to issue a ruling shortly that would place new limits either on the hours of operation or outright number of tours operators could provide. Those limits could be substantial, as much as a 25 to 30 percent reduction. Helitour operators in New York already are limited to the number of hours they can operate, all during daylight hours, and restricted to specific tour routes—all over water.

De Blasio's actions come as the tour operators face a legislative barrage from both sides of the Hudson River. New Jersey state legislators are considering bills that would make it illegal for air-tour operators to use any state licensed airport or heliport—legislation unlikely to survive a federal challenge as a violation of terms of FAA grants. While all five helitour operators base out of New York's downtown heliport during the day, their domicile and maintenance hangars are in New Jersey. 

Meanwhile, New York's City Council is considering a ban on all sightseeing helicopters, a move de Blasio opposes. De Blasio could implement the caps through the New York Economic Development Corp., the entity through which the heliport is leased. Last year there were 70,000 operations at the downtown heliport; approximately 95 percent of those were related to air tours.