Veasey, Langworthy Lead Bipartisan Letter Urging TSA to Adopt Higher Security Standards for Public Charter Flights
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressmen Marc Veasey (TX-33) and Nick Langworthy (NY-23) sent a letter to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David P. Pekoske urging the investigation of the vulnerabilities in current security standards for scheduled public charter flights (Part 135 operators) and the prompt implementation of heightened security measures to address these concerns. Currently, TSA security screening measures for scheduled public charter flights are varied, while commercial air travel follows standardized security protocol.
"The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) safeguards America's aviation system every day. The agency's mission is critical, and there is no room for error," said Congressman Veasey. "I am troubled that a growing number of public charter flight operators are trying to skirt TSA’s security standards. That is why I am proud to join this bipartisan letter with Rep. Langworthy that underscores the importance of TSA's ongoing investigation into this matter. I will continue to advocate for strong standards and hold those accountable who do not abide by those standards.”
“When you board a flight in the United States, you expect the highest safety standards, but the TSA is failing when it comes to security protocols for scheduled charter flights,” said Congressman Langworthy. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan letter to the TSA outlining our concerns with obvious vulnerabilities and urging implementation of increased and reasonable safety standards. It's imperative that the TSA takes decisive action to address these shortcomings and bolster security protocols to protect passengers and crew members effectively.”
The letter reads, “There should not be varying security standards for the operation of aircraft with more than 9 seats, operating scheduled service, and selling individual tickets. Requiring passengers on some scheduled airlines to go through a TSA-operated checkpoint while allowing other passengers on virtually identical scheduled airlines to bypass TSA and other critical security protocols makes no sense and creates glaring security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by those who wish to cause harm. The TSA should take immediate action to ensure that passengers go through full TSA security processes when flying on an air carrier that operates aircraft with more than nine seats, publishes a flight schedule, and sells individual tickets.”
Read the full letter here.
This letter is signed by 55 additional Members of Congress. This letter also has received support from outside organizations, including: Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), Allied Pilots Association (APA), American Airlines, Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), National Air Carrier Association (NACA), NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP), Southwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), and Transport Workers Union (TWU).