Grand Canyon, Other Sightseeing Companies Repositioned To Nearby Jean Airport

A TFR that went into effect Sunday evening and which will be in place through Wednesday afternoon around Las Vegas, NV, has put pressure on Grand Canyon sightseeing companies operating in the area and closed some airports to GA altogether. The reason is a campaign trip to the city by President Obama leading up to the October 3 debate in Denver, CO.

The FAA said in a statement that the sightseeing operations would be moved to Jean Airport (0L7) about 25 miles south of the Las Vegas strip, according to a report from the Associated Press. The President held a campaign event at a high school in Las Vegas Sunday night, then moved to a resort in Henderson southeast of the city to prepare for the debate.

Television Station KTNV reports that the FAA and other government agencies including TSA worked with the local air tour operators for months in an effort to keep them flying during the four-day TFR. The FAA is staffing a temporary control tower at Jean Airport to allow eight companies to conduct their tours, though the companies reportedly will have to transport their customers from their usual locations to the airport.

The exception will also allow tour operators to overfly the Las Vegas strip at night.

FMI: www.faa.gov, NOTAM