US FAA considering stricter rules for high-volume charter flight operators (updated)
24/08/2023 21:17
(Adds comments by SkyWest, JSX and unions in paragraphs 6-10)
By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON, Aug 24 (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) said on 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 a maximum of 30 seats, are
not subject to the same training for first officers, mandatory
retirement of pilots at age 65 or minimum rest periods for
airline pilots. Passengers on those flights also need not be
screened by the Transportation Security Administration.
The number of charter flights has grown dramatically over
the last decade.
The FAA said on 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.
SkyWest Charter said on Thursday it believes the charter
designation "is essential for small community air service, today
and well into the future." The air carrier added it "already
exceeds current safety requirements and will transition to any
additional requirements that may be adopted by the FAA as part
of the rulemaking process."
Aviation unions and American Airlines AAL.O have
criticized growing charter operations by air carrier JSX.
American said in May that JSX had a "competitive advantage" by
operating under less stringent regulatory rules.
JSX had 110,000 departures in 2022 with its 37 aircraft -
more than some small regional passenger airlines, unions argued.
JSX said on Thursday the FAA notice "is disappointing, both
for the traveling public and for the advancement of vital air
mobility programs around the nation ... JSX complies with all
applicable rules and regulations and far exceeds the safety
requirements germane to our public charter operations."
Dallas-based JSX counts both United Airlines UAL.O and
JetBlue Airways JBLU.O as investors.
(Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington
Editing by Matthew Lewis)
((David.Shepardson@thomsonreuters.com; 2028988324;))