Posh tourists are using helicopters like taxis in the Dolomites, say locals

Wealthy holidaymakers have come under fire for taking helicopter trips across the Dolomites, with locals calling the use of the expensive transport method 'perverse' and a 'circus'.Hiring choppers in the mountain range has become increasingly popular among travel influencers, who have been sharing images of their high-end, pricey experiences set against the stunning scenery. From landing directly on heli-pads at luxury hotels to taking short rides into the landscape for a selfie opportunity, the trend has left those who live there frustrated by the noise. Many helicopter companies in the region offer sightseeing journeys – with a price tag to match. Flyments, for instance, charges €589 (£500) for a 35-minute journey, while Kronair offers trips for up to a whopping €3,200 (£2,724).More than simple sightseeing tours, many now offer trips directly to hotels or restaurants, making them effectively taxis of the skies for those who can afford them.For example, the AMAN Rosa Alpina in St. Kassian, one of the most exclusive hotels in the Dolomites, allows you to arrive in style via helicopter. Local groups have called for better regulation of tourist helicopter journeysElicompany, a helicopter tour company, offers rides to arrive directly at luxury hotels including Adler SPA Resort Balance in Ortisei, Cristallo Resort & SPA in Cortina d'Ampezzo and Hotel Fanes in San Cassiano.Some organisations offer helicopter trips specifically designed to drop you off at a picturesque lunch spot. If you have a spare €2,200 (£1,871), you can join Heliunion's Dolomites Deluxe journey, a 60-minute tour followed by lunch at a restaurant or Alpine hut. Likewise, with a SennAir Helicopter journey you can book a gourmet flight with a meal at the mountainside Mondschein restaurant for €2,699 (£2,300). Anger is growing in the region though among conservationists and political parties over the increasing helicopter traffic.Brigitte Foppa, a Green councillor in South Tyrol, put it succinctly on Facebook while sharing images of tourists taking a helicopter ride to lunch: 'It doesn't get more perverse than this'. Similarly, the centrist Team K party in the area has argued the helicopter tourism sector is not sufficiently regulated, and limits should be put in place for tourist journeys in protected areas.'Helicopter tourism has grown enormously, and local people don't want all this noise,' Franz Ploner, a councillor for Team K, told The Times. 'For years, the region said they didn't have the power to act and now that they have the power, they are blaming the EU.' Many guests take rides directly to hotels, restaurants or other attractions, which has been labelled 'perverse'This is due to the regional administration saying it is unable to independently restrict or ban airspace usage, as these are subject to broader EU aviation laws and overseen by Italy's national civil aviation authority.Likewise, the Puez-Geisler Nature Park management committee, which works to conserve nature reserve Puez-Geisler, is calling for a reduction of tourist flights in the region.Plus, the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) of South Tyrol is also against the uptake in helicopter rides.Its president, Carlo Alberto Zanella, described helicopter tourism as a 'circus', according to German publication WAZ.He adds that there are safety risks, such as airflow from rotors dislodging loose rocks, which could endanger hikers. Team K has argued the government has not taken enough action against the noise from these helicopters.'For years, citizens were promised that the newly appointed environmental authority would finally be used to combat the rampant helicopter tourism and the associated noise and environmental pollution,' Franz Ploner told local publication Sud Tirol News. 'Now the authority is in place, but instead of concrete laws, controls, and bans, we are once again experiencing delays and excuses. 'The problem is no longer a lack of jurisdiction, but rather a lack of political will to act.'