Congressman Nick Langworthy Hosts Press Conference on Key Aviation Safety Legislation; Launches Aviation Safety Caucus for 119th Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) introduced the bipartisan Safer Skies Act, aimed at closing critical security loopholes in airport security. The bill, co-led by Congressman Jack Bergman (R-MI) and Marc Veasey (D-TX), seeks to enhance safety standards for certain air operators that currently operate without the rigorous screening requirements of commercial airlines.
“Due to the reforms following the September 11th attacks, Americans have come to expect a high level of safety and security when they board a plane on American soil,” said Congressman Langworthy. “As the chair of the Aviation Safety Caucus, I’ve worked closely with partners and experts in the federal government and aviation industry to identify existing security gaps and maintain our high safety standards. The Safer Skies Act will close a loophole that has allowed certain operators, like ticketed charter flights, to bypass the rigorous screening requirements that ensure the safety of all passengers. It is vital for protecting our skies and the lives of passengers and crew alike.”
Watch the press conference here
Specifically, the Safer Skies Act would:
- Require the TSA to update its security screening requirements for Part 135 and Part 380 operators that offer individual seats in advance, provide publicly available schedules, and operate passenger seat configurations of more than nine seats.
- Ensure that these operators are held to the same security standards as any other scheduled commercial airline.
“Worldwide, the United States sets the security standard. The Safer Skies Act closes a glaring loophole in our screening process. I’m proud to lead this legislation which is a step in the right direction and will keep the flying public and crews safe,”said co-chair Rep. Jack Bergman.
“As Americans, we expect the same high level of safety and security every time we board a plane—whether we’re flying into a major hub or a small-town airport. But loopholes and the exploitation of existing regulations threaten the integrity of the system that has made U.S. commercial aviation the safest in the world. The Safer Skies Act is a bipartisan, common-sense piece of legislation that closes these gaps, ensuring that every passenger, on every flight, can travel with confidence in the security of our skies,”said co-chair Rep. Marc Veasey.
"The Safer Skies Act will close a dangerous loophole in FAA regulations that could lead to catastrophe in the sky. I am committed to ensuring that a tragedy like 9/11 never happens again in this country. I thank Rep. Langworthy for his leadership on this issue and look forward to making this bill a reality,"said Rep.Don Bacon.
Cosponsors of the Safer Skies Act include co-lead Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI), co-lead Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX), Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Rep. Robert Bresnahan (R-PA), Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), Rep. Craig Goldman (R-TX), Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY), Rep. Thomas Kean (R-NJ), Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY), Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY), Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Rep. Rob Menendez (D-NJ), Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH), Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL), Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Rep. Michael Turner (R-OH), Rep. David Valadao (R-CA), Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX), Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA), Rep. Don Davis (D-NC), and Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS).
This legislation has also received support from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), Allied Pilots Association (APA), American Airlines, Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), National Air Carrier Association (NACA), NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP), Southwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), and Transport Workers Union (TWU).
“Gaming the system to get a competitive leg up by putting all of us at risk can’t fly! We applaud Representative Langworthy for taking action to stop outrageous attempts to skirt safety and security requirements that were put in place following September 11th. Never again,” stated Sara Nelson, President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, representing 55,000 Flight Attendants at 20 airlines. “The irony should be lost on no one that those attempting to game the system are creating an aviation model grounded in the idea that if you have money the rules don’t apply to you. This is about crew and passenger safety and the security of the entire country.”
"APFA thanks Representative Langworthy (R-NY-23), Representative Veasey (D-TX-33), and Representative Bergman (R-MI-01) for introducing legislation that protects the security of our skies and the American people. The Safer Skies Act ensures that all passenger flights, no matter what Part they operate under, are subject to the same TSA security standards. On September 11th, 2001, we lost our colleagues and our passengers in the worst terrorist attack on American soil in the history of our country. As an industry and as a nation, we banded together and vowed ‘Never Again’. This is why it is critical to close this security loophole that is jeopardizing aviation safety,” saidJulie Hedrick, National President of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants.
“Allowing Part 135/Part 380 operators to take advantage of less strict security protocols introduces risk into our aviation system, and we are grateful for Representatives Langworthy and Veasey for their leadership on this issue. Passengers deserve the same high level of aviation security regardless of their departure point and destination,”said Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA president. “By addressing the security threats created by the loophole, we close a dangerous precedent that would spark a race to the bottom and wholly undermine aviation security. The Safer Skies Act is one important step toward what our industry needs at this critical moment in history.”
“The Allied Pilots Association strongly supports the Safer Skies Act of 2025, and we thank Representatives Langworthy, Bergman, and Veasey for their leadership in addressing this critical loophole in U.S. charter flight regulatory guidance. As airline pilots, we witnessed the destruction on September 11, 2001, and we never want a repeat of that horrific day in our nation’s history. We are concerned that our collective memory of that tragic event is way too short—as evidenced by some charter operations losing focus on security in favor of profits. The Safer Skies Act addresses this security gap, and brings our security priorities back in focus by enforcing a single security standard for air travel. The American public deserves confidence in their safety and security while traveling. This Bill is a great first step in addressing this loophole and restoring confidence in our aviation sector,” said First Officer Nick Silva, President, Allied Pilots Association.
“Aviation security is not optional – it’s essential. The Safer Skies Act ensures that all flights operate under the same rigorous safety standards, closing security loopholes and protecting passengers, crews, and the integrity of our airspace. SWAPA strongly supports this commonsense legislation,”said Captain Jody Reven, President, Southwest Airlines Pilots Association.
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