H.R. 7526: Safe Skies Act of 2026
The bill, known as the Safe Skies Act of 2026, aims to enhance safety in air transportation by modifying existing regulations related to flight crew member duty and rest requirements. Here are the key components of what the bill proposes:
Modification of Flightcrew Requirements
The core focus of this legislation is to mandate the Secretary of Transportation to revise current rules concerning the duty and rest periods for flight crew members. Specifically:
- The updated regulations will ensure that the same duty and rest requirements that currently apply to flight crew members working on passenger flights will also apply to those operating all-cargo flights.
- This change must be implemented within 30 days after the bill becomes law.
Background on Current Regulations
The bill refers to a final rule established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that regulates how long flight crew members can work (duty) and how much rest they need between shifts. This rule was published in the Federal Register on January 4, 2012. The intention is to bring all-cargo operations under the same safety standards that currently protect passenger operations.
Exemption from Certain Rulemaking Procedures
The modifications to the current regulations will not be subject to the normal rulemaking procedures outlined in section 553 of title 5 of the United States Code. This means that the process for implementing these changes will be expedited to ensure quicker enforcement and compliance.
Purpose of the Bill
The overarching goal of the Safe Skies Act of 2026 is to enhance aviation safety by ensuring that all flight crew members, regardless of whether they are flying passengers or cargo, are subject to the same standards for duty and rest, thus reducing risks associated with crew fatigue and improving operational safety in air transport.
Relevant Companies
- UPS - As a significant player in the air cargo sector, UPS could face changes in operations due to stricter flight crew requirements.
- FDX (FedEx) - Similar to UPS, FedEx operates a vast air cargo network and may need to adjust its scheduling and crew management policies.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
8 bill sponsors
Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Feb. 12, 2026 | Introduced in House |
| Feb. 12, 2026 | Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. |
Corporate Lobbying
0 companies lobbying
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