FAA Moves to Restrict Public Charter Flights

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is moving to revise a regulation governing public charter operators. This change comes after scrutiny of the current rules, particularly regarding carriers like JSX, that operate scheduled flights with smaller aircraft (30 seats or less) while following less stringent regulations compared to major airlines.

“Part of the safety mission of the FAA is identifying risk early on, and that’s exactly what we’re doing on public charters as usage expands,” said FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker. “If a company is effectively operating as a scheduled airline, the FAA needs to determine whether those operations should follow the same stringent rules as scheduled airlines.”

In August 2023, the FAA requested comments on the proposed rulemaking, receiving over 60,000 in less than a year. In its comment, JSX called the move “a lobbying-inspired, targeted regulatory barrier to entry, erected to protect influential parties that are prepared to fabricate safety concerns.”

Both American and Southwest along with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) have pushed for changes to public charter operations like JSX, calling on the FAA to close a so-called ‘loophole.’

“Some airlines use the public charter loophole to cut costs by skirting lifesaving safety rules, but if they run similar operations as commercial scheduled airlines, then they are not operating as charter, and that’s an issue,” said ALPA President Jason Ambrosi in an August 2023 statement.

The FAA argues these changes are necessary to ensure consistent safety standards across all passenger air travel. Public charter operators currently adhere to Part 135 regulations, which are less demanding than the Part 121 rules that govern scheduled airlines. This difference applies to areas including pilot training requirements and maintenance protocols.

Opponents of the proposed changes, including JSX itself, argue that their current safety record is “excellent” and that stricter regulations would stifle innovation and potentially limit service options, especially in smaller communities. JSX says that some of its safety protocols even exceed current FAA standards.

“JSX supports the Federal Aviation Administration’s efforts to maintain the safety of civil aviation and applauds FAA Administrator Whitaker’s plans to evaluate a new operating authority for certain Part 135 operations,” the carrier said in a statement on Monday.

Small Community Air Service

JSX has repeatedly added that changes to public charter regulations would “jeopardize” service to small communities. Last year, the carrier committed to ordering over 300 hybrid-electric aircraft. The goal of these aircraft, the company says, is to deploy them in small communities.

“These airplanes are custom built for 9, 19, and 30 seats, and they’ll be much more efficient…than the planes we’re flying today. And that’s going to lower costs, and that’s going to make more of those [airports] available,” JSX CEO Alex Wilcox told AirlineGeeks in a December interview.

Noting these concerns, the FAA said in a June 17 press release that it would launch a risk assessment panel to “assess the feasibility of a new operating authority for scheduled part 135 operations in 10-30 seat aircraft.”

“At the same time, we want to look at how future innovation might cause us to think differently. Safe air travel options should be available to everyone, not limited to only those living near a major airport. We want to put a safety lens over the options of future innovation, as we work to further connect small and rural communities to open up more options for everyone at the same high level of safety,” Whitaker added in the press release.

Contour Airlines, which operates public charter flights to several smaller communities, is also likely to be affected by the regulatory change. The company is part-owned by SkyWest, which has a public charter subsidiary called SkyWest Charters.

Security Concerns

Many in the industry have also expressed concerns with the security requirements of public charter operators. JSX and others are not required to screen passengers through a traditional Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint.

Former American CEO Doug Parker called these security protocols a “disaster waiting to happen” during a recent interview.

The TSA is also reviewing security requirements for these operators, including a security screening requirement for all passengers. The comment period for its proposed rulemaking ends on June 27.

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Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

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