FAA considering stricter rules for high-volume charter flight operators

SkyWest

24/08/2023 17:30

WASHINGTON, Aug 24 (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) said Thursday it is considering subjecting
high-volume charter flight operators to stricter regulations
imposed on passenger airlines.
    Airline unions have opposed the expansion of charter
operations. Association of Flight Attendants-CWA President Sara
Nelson praised the FAA action, calling the charter regulations 
a "loophole that undermines safety and security rules for
commercial aviation."
    Charter flights, which can have no more than 30 seats, are
not subject to the same first officer training, mandatory pilot
age 65 retirement or minimum rest periods as airline pilots.
Passengers on those flights also do not need to undergo
Transportation Security Administration screening. The number of
charter flights has grown dramatically over the last decade.
    The FAA said Thursday "this rapid growth poses an increased
risk to safety if left unchecked" and said it will "begin a
rulemaking to address this safety risk." SkyWest  SKYW.O  has
sought approval to conduct passenger operations through a
separate charter operation and faces strong opposition from
unions. The Transportation Department has not yet acted on the
request.

 (Reporting by David Shepardson)
 ((David.Shepardson@thomsonreuters.com; 2028988324;))