Safe Flights for Passengers and Flight Crews Act

Key Points

• This bill requires companies that run scheduled charter flights to follow the same strict safety and training rules as major commercial airlines. Currently, some of these companies operate under more flexible rules originally intended for private jets or on-demand services.
• The change specifically targets 'public charters' that sell individual seats on flights with a set schedule and use planes with more than 9 passenger seats. These companies would now have to meet the highest federal standards for pilot experience, aircraft maintenance, and safety oversight.
• The policy aims to close what some call a 'loophole' in aviation law. Supporters argue that if a company sells tickets to the general public for a flight leaving at a specific time and place, it should be held to the same safety bar as a major national carrier.
• If passed, these new requirements would take effect 90 days after the bill is signed into law. This would apply even if the Federal Aviation Administration has not yet finished writing the formal regulations to implement the change.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.