Major Carriers Seek a Two-Year Delay for the Secondary Barrier Ruling

A group of major US airlines, represented by Airlines for America, recently filed a petition to delay a federal mandate for secondary flight deck barriers. This generated some worthy confusion and criticism from pilot unions, including the Air Line Pilots Association.

Discussions surrounding improved flight deck security swirled rapidly after four aircraft were hijacked in September 2001, causing two to crash into the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon, and the last into a Pennsylvania field. Almost immediately, the FAA mandated that all commercial aircraft operating in the US be equipped with and use reinforced cockpit doors. These are designed to withstand significant force and have been fairly effective in preventing unauthorized entry.

The FAA expanded this regulation in 2007 by setting standards for door usage. The ruling requires the door to be locked during aircraft operation except when necessary for authorized personnel.

Then, in 2018, the FAA Reauthorization Act aimed to mandate a secondary cockpit door. The agency delayed action for several years, but finally put its foot down in 2023. With the two-year effective date standard, all aircraft manufactured after August 25, 2025, will be required to have a secondary barrier on the flight deck to protect against intrusion when the cockpit door is open.

Initial reactions to this change were mixed. Unions took a more aggressive stance, urging the FAA to move the effective date to one year after publication instead of two. Boeing, Airbus, and Airlines for America, however, pushed to extend the period to three years.

With the effective date rapidly approaching, airlines are ready to fight for their position. Airlines for America, which represents American, United, and Delta, has filed a petition to get a two-year delay on the mandate.

“The airlines have had two years to implement these requirements, yet they are now requesting an extension for the same time granted to them by the final rule,” ALPA President Captain Jason Ambrosi said on the matter. “We urge the FAA to reject this latest stalling tactic and implement, without delay, the secondary barrier requirement as Congress mandated.”

FMI: www.faa.gov