The US Private Aviation Association is urging the Federal Aviation Administration to reconsider proposed rule changes that could drastically alter the landscape of private air charter services, particularly the definition of “on demand” charter aviation. These changes, if enacted, could severely impact rural and underserved communities.

At the heart of the concern are revisions to long-standing definitions under Part 135, which governs “on demand” air charters. These rules have allowed private air charter operators to provide flexible and essential services to areas that commercial airlines under Part 121 often overlook.

The F.A.A.’s proposed changes would impose more stringent regulations, potentially forcing private operators to adhere to commercial airline standards—a shift that the USPAA warns would be devastating.

“These definitions have been in place for decades and have created an aviation economic ecosystem that serves millions of Americans, especially in rural and underserved areas,” said USPAA Executive Director Dave Wilson. “Revisiting these definitions without express congressional authorization threatens to dismantle this system.”

USPAA is particularly concerned about the impact on public charter services under DOT Part 380, which provide vital air connections to remote areas. Forcing Part 135 operators to comply with the heavier regulatory framework of Part 121 would cripple these services, leading to significant job losses, the closure of certain fixed-base operators, and billions in economic fallout.

While the USPAA acknowledges the need to evaluate security protocols, such as those under the Twelve-Five Security Program introduced in 2002, it stresses that these changes should not come at the cost of gutting essential air travel services.

In a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, USPAA called for the Secretary to intervene and ensure that any regulatory changes are carefully considered.

As the F.A.A. pushes forward with these proposals, the future of private air charter, and the critical role it plays in America’s aviation infrastructure, hangs in the balance.