Safe Flights for Passengers and Flight Crews Act
Summary
H.R. 7501, the "Safe Flights for Passengers and Flight Crews Act," aims to enhance aviation safety by directing the FAA Administrator to regulate passenger-carrying scheduled charter operations with larger aircraft (over 9 passenger seats) under more stringent standards. This bill seeks to eliminate the eligibility of public charters for on-demand operations under part 380 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
The bill mandates that these operations be regulated as either domestic or flag operations under part 121 of title 14, regardless of whether the FAA has issued implementing regulations. The requirements take effect 90 days after the Act's enactment.
The bill defines "passenger-carrying scheduled charter operation" as any common carriage operation conducted by an air carrier or commercial operator that offers advance departure and arrival information under part 380.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill is to increase the regulatory oversight of certain charter flights, specifically those using aircraft with more than 9 passenger seats. This will likely lead to increased operational costs for affected charter operators as they will need to comply with the more rigorous safety standards of part 121. Passengers on these flights may experience increased safety and potentially higher ticket prices.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced Safety Standards: Passengers on affected charter flights will benefit from the higher safety standards required under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
- Improved Oversight: Increased regulatory oversight by the FAA can lead to better enforcement of safety regulations and identification of potential risks.
- Greater Accountability: Charter operators will be held to a higher standard of accountability, potentially reducing the likelihood of safety violations.
- Standardized Operations: The bill promotes more standardized operational procedures across different types of air carriers.
- Potential Reduction in Accidents: By mandating stricter regulations, the bill aims to reduce the risk of accidents and incidents involving charter flights.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased Costs for Operators: Compliance with part 121 regulations may increase operational costs for charter operators, potentially leading to higher ticket prices for consumers.
- Reduced Flexibility: The elimination of on-demand eligibility may reduce the flexibility of charter operations, potentially impacting their ability to serve certain markets.
- Potential Business Closures: Some smaller charter operators may struggle to meet the more stringent requirements, potentially leading to business closures.
- Limited Impact on Larger Airlines: The bill primarily targets smaller charter operations, with limited direct impact on larger, established airlines already operating under part 121.
- Possible Delays in Implementation: The FAA may face challenges in implementing the new regulations within the 90-day timeframe, potentially leading to delays and uncertainty.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce, including air travel. By regulating charter flights, the bill aims to ensure safety and promote orderly commerce in the aviation industry. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any individual liberties or rights protected by the Constitution or its amendments.
Furthermore, the bill directs the FAA Administrator to issue regulations, which is consistent with the principle of delegated authority, where Congress delegates certain powers to administrative agencies to implement and enforce laws. This delegation must be accompanied by clear standards and guidelines, which the bill appears to provide by referencing specific parts of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).