ALPA Applauds New Bipartisan Bill to Address Gaps in Aviation Safety and Security Highlighted by the Public Charter Loophole

On August 6, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) applauded Representatives Nick Langworthy (R-NY) and Marc Veasey (D-TX) for introducing new legislation, the Safer Skies Act, that would ensure that carriers operating under the less restrictive Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 135 safety rules and Part 380 public charter economic rules be held to the same security standards as every other scheduled passenger carrier in the United States. Currently, air carriers operating essentially scheduled service under the loophole created by Parts 135 and 380 are permitted to bypass Transportation Security Administration security screening and other critical security protocols, creating glaring security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by those who wish to cause harm. 

“Airline passengers should be able to board a plane and trust that they have the same level of safety and security whether they are flying into a big city or a small town. Loopholes, and the abuse of current rules and regulations, undermine a system that has made U.S. commercial aviation the safest in the world,” said Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA president.

For years, ALPA has called on the Department of Transportation to close the public charter loophole over concerns about airlines operating regularly scheduled flights under lesser safety and security regulations. Specifically, ALPA noted that JSX and similar operations use the loophole to avoid normal security screening protocols that protect passengers and the rest of the country. In fact, JSX touted that its passengers and their baggage can bypass the normal screening regimen that all other scheduled commercial airline passengers and bags must go through. This glaring loophole must be closed.

“No matter where you’re flying or what airline you’re on, all Americans deserve the same level of safety and security. Because of the public charter loophole, some airlines are held to lesser standards, while operating in the same airspace, with the same passengers, from largely the same airports as those who do follow the rules, and that is unacceptable,” added Ambrosi. “To maintain our world-leading aviation safety and security record, the government must take action to close this loophole to keep American aviation safe and secure.”

In June, ALPA supported the Federal Aviation Administration’sannouncement to issue a proposed rule that would to close the public charter loophole through a change to the FARs. 

Tags: Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA