Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) is spearheading a bipartisan effort to urge the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to close security loopholes affecting public charter flights. In a letter to newly confirmed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Langworthy and a group of 54 lawmakers called on the agency to implement stricter safety measures for Part 135 operators, which operate “public charter flights” that mimic commercial airline services.
The letter builds on a previous call to TSA Administrator David P. Pekoske last February, which highlighted security disparities allowing certain public charter operators to bypass standard protocols for commercial air travel. Though the TSA has announced plans to address some vulnerabilities, lawmakers say the agency’s actions have not gone far enough to align security standards with those of scheduled passenger airlines.
“The devastating attacks of 9/11 forced us to ensure that we would never again allow our aircraft to be used as a tool of terrorism,” Langworthy said. “The TSA has a no-fail mission to protect the flying public, and we cannot allow a regulatory loophole to jeopardize that. As Chair of the Airline Safety Caucus, I’m proud to lead this bipartisan letter urging the implementation of common-sense safety standards to address these disparities and protect all Americans.”
The lawmakers pointed to the TSA’s acknowledgment that some public charter operators offer fixed routes and sell individual boarding passes, making them “essentially indistinguishable” from traditional passenger airlines. They also noted that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has raised concerns about the increasing size, scope, and frequency of such operations. The letter emphasized the need for the TSA to act independently of other agencies to mitigate these vulnerabilities.
Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01), a co-lead on the letter and former airline pilot, underscored the urgency of the issue. “This is an issue of national security and must be handled swiftly,” he said, highlighting his commitment to passenger safety.
Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33), another co-lead, added, “Lax security can have devastating consequences. The TSA must take immediate action to ensure all carriers operating flights are fully subject to TSA’s security protocols. There is no room for complacency when it comes to aviation security.”
The bipartisan letter reflects growing concern about how evolving air travel services might expose vulnerabilities in national security infrastructure. Lawmakers say immediate action is needed to ensure that safety standards keep pace with the rapidly changing aviation industry.
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