Some air carriers that sell individual seats on publicly scheduled routes — operating under FAA charter rules with more than nine seats — are currently not required to follow the full security program used by major airlines. The Safer Skies Act would close that gap by directing TSA to bring those carriers under the Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program, the same security framework that governs commercial airlines. TSA would have 360 days after enactment to update its rules and guidance. Passengers on these smaller scheduled-service carriers would be subject to the same screening standards as those flying major carriers.
Congressional Summary
Safer Skies Act of 2025This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to require that certain small public charter air carrier operations comply with the Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (AOSSP).As background, the TSA has different types of security programs based on the nature of the air carrier’s operations. Currently, the AOSSP requirements apply to all scheduled passenger service with a seating capacity of 61 or more seats that operate into or out of a TSA-controlled sterile area.The TSA also has other security programs that have less stringent security requirements than the AOSSP. These programs are designed for different types of aircraft operators, including operations under Part 135 (e.g., scheduled commuter flights in smaller aircraft) and Part 380 (e.g., public charter flights) of the Department of Transportation’s regulations.This bill applies the AOSSP requirements to air carriers operating under Part 135 and Part 380 that (1) operate scheduled public charter service, (2) operate airplanes configured with 10 or more passenger seats, and (3) do not enplane or deplane in a TSA-managed checkpoint.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-03-26
- Date Added
- 2026-06-30
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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