Tour operators, flight schools and others say flight restrictions for President Obama's expected O'ahu holiday visit could leave them struggling to bring in revenues during what is usually a busy time of year.

The flight restrictions create a temporary no-fly zone over a 10-mile area whose core is Kailua — where Obama and his family are expected to stay — shutting out helicopter sightseeing operators from some of the most popular must-see spots on the island, including Sacred Falls and Ka'a'awa Valley.

Also, all of O'ahu will be under restrictions that require small aircraft to travel from one point to another "without loitering," the Federal Aviation Administration said yesterday. Operators say those restrictions will effectively ban aircraft from doing any training maneuvers. Seaplanes will also not be allowed to land at Käne'ohe Bay.

The flight restrictions are in effect from Wednesday to Jan. 4. They apply to all aircraft except for commercial, cargo, law enforcement, medical and military aircraft or any others with permission.

Last night, tour operators, flight schools and others met with the U.S. Secret Service and FAA to discuss the restrictions — and try to persuade officials to relax them. Some helicopter tour operators, for example, suggested that the no-fly zone be slightly decreased so Sacred Falls was no longer in it.

Operators say they doubt they'll be able to sell helicopter tours, which run about $250, that don't include the waterfall or Ka'a'awa, and worry they'll lose out on much-needed revenues during what they say has otherwise been an abysmal year in tourism. They say business shows signs of picking up over the holiday season, which is historically one of the busiest times of the year for sightseeing flights.

Missing out on the increased business, they said, will leave them struggling to stay afloat.

After the meeting last night, sightseeing operators said the Secret Service seemed receptive to the suggestions, though officials did not make any pledges that changes would be made. Operators were not told when the Secret Service would make a final decision on the flight restrictions. Secret Service officials who attended the meeting last night said they weren't authorized to speak to the media.

FAA traffic security coordinator Rally Caparas, who is based in Washington, D.C., was also at the meeting yesterday and said the flight restrictions are "still being formulated" and that the suggestions the operators made yesterday will be taken back to supervisors to see whether they can be approved.

He added that "the intent (of the restrictions) can't be weakened."

Richard Schuman, president and owner of Makani Kai Helicopters, said he understands the restrictions and added that most tourists would be OK with not being able to see Käne'ohe Bay, if the president is staying just a few miles away. But he said he hopes an exception is made for Sacred Falls.

"If we can't even show them a waterfall, then we don't think we can sell our product," he said.

Schuman added that most O'ahu helicopter tours take the same route.

Other operators say the restrictions are tougher than those imposed during Obama's last visit as president-elect and when previous presidents visited O'ahu. They said the no-fly zone then was smaller.

P.J. O'Reilley, manager of Mauna Loa Helicopters, a flight training school, said the restrictions will effectively close him down for two weeks. "We're pretty much taking a two-week vacation," he said, after leaving the meeting yesterday. He said the flight restrictions don't allow training over O'ahu, but would allow it over water. He said that's just too risky, though, and added the ban will hurt his business.

But O'Reilley said he wasn't surprised by the restrictions.

"He's the president," he said.

Pat Magie, owner of Island Seaplane Service, said the restrictions mean he won't be able to do any training and also can't take tours, since he can't land in Käne'ohe Bay. "I'm out of business," Magie said.

"I can't fly for two weeks."

The White House has not yet confirmed the president's holiday visit.

But sources say Obama and his family are expected to be on O'ahu from Wednesday through Jan. 2.

Obama, who was born in Hawai'i and graduated from Punahou School, has not been back to the Islands since being sworn in as president. He was president-elect when he and his family had a 12-day vacation at a beachfront home in Kailua last December, and still a candidate when he visited his dying grandmother in October 2008 and enjoyed a summer break and local fundraiser in August 2008.