Urges Other Airlines To Follow Lead On Flight Deck Security

Capt. Jason Ambrosi, President of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, released the statement below responding to Southwest Airlines being the first major carrier to implement the use of secondary flight deck barriers.

Capt. Ambrosi said, "Southwest Airlines took a pivotal step towards advancing aviation safety and security by becoming the first major air carrier to begin deploying secondary flight deck barriers following the 2018 Congressional mandate. I urge other airlines to follow Southwest’s example and move expeditiously to utilize these life protecting devices.

“As we approach the 24th anniversary of 9/11, when terrorists used commercial airliners to carry out their deadly attacks on America, we should stop debating and foot-dragging. There is no need to wait yet another year to begin to utilize secondary flight deck barriers, as Southwest has shown. Do the right thing for the safety and security of the flying public and our flight crews. No more excuses.”

As mandated by Congress in 2018, the original date of compliance developed in the FAA Final Rule to implement the mandatory flight deck secondary barriers was August 2025. However, in July, the FAA announced a one-year delay which pushed the compliance date to July 31, 2026.

Prior to the delay, Airlines for America, or A4A, led a move to petition the FAA to postpone the compliance date by two years.

Southwest has clearly demonstrated that an extension was unnecessary and that meeting the original deadline was possible, if the airline’s priority is securing the flight deck.

FMI:  www.alpa.org/