Sponsors (2)
The bill increases passenger safety and federal oversight by making more charter operations comply with Part 121, but it also raises costs for operators (and likely fares), risks service reductions in smaller/remote markets, and creates short-term legal and operational uncertainty for carriers.
Passengers on scheduled charter flights (including those with chronic conditions) and transportation workers would see flights operated under higher safety standards because aircraft and operations using more than nine seats would be required to comply with Part 121.
Local governments and small-business owners would benefit from the law applying Part 121 uniformly, closing regulatory gaps and increasing FAA oversight of commercial operators and public charters.
Air carriers, charter operators, and ultimately passengers would face higher compliance costs because operators must meet Part 121 requirements, likely increasing ticket prices or reducing service availability.
Rural communities and other passengers using smaller regional or niche charter services may lose service because smaller operators could stop serving certain routes or exit the market under the heavier regulatory regime.
Airlines and transportation workers would face legal uncertainty and potential operational disruption because the statute's 90-day automatic effective date applies even if the FAA has not yet issued implementing regulations.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires scheduled public-charter passenger flights using aircraft with more than nine seats to be regulated under FAA Part 121, effective 90 days after enactment.
Introduced February 11, 2026 by Timothy M. Kennedy · Last progress February 11, 2026
Begins applying Part 121 airline safety and operational rules to scheduled public-charter passenger flights that use aircraft with more than nine passenger seats, 90 days after enactment. The change covers public charters that advertise or otherwise offer a specific departure location, departure time, and arrival location in advance, and it takes effect automatically even if the FAA has not yet issued implementing regulations. The new rule will require affected charter operators to meet Part 121 certification, training, maintenance, and operational standards, potentially increasing compliance costs, changing how some charters are marketed and scheduled, and shifting FAA oversight resources toward these operations.