Overview
- U.S. carriers must formally attest that pilot hiring is based on qualifications, with failure to certify triggering potential FAA investigation.
- The mandate is implemented through Operations Specification A134, which airlines accept and operate under before it is issued as an amendment to their certificates.
- Principal operations inspectors are instructed to notify affected airlines within two business days, with the requirement becoming enforceable about 30 days after notification.
- Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the step targets alleged identity-based hiring and is intended to reinforce safety and transparency.
- Pilot union ALPA and Airlines for America said pilots are trained and evaluated to uniform federal standards, and reporting notes no evidence that airlines employ unqualified pilots.