Regulatory Alert: FAA Requests Information from Airports on Facial Coverings Distribution for Planning Purposes Only
May 20, 2020
This morning Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airport certification safety inspectors requested certain information from Part 139 commercial service airports regarding a potential sizeable distribution of facial coverings for passengers, including the identity of a point of contact (POC) and an address for delivery. AAAE received a number of inquiries from members requesting additional background and context for these requests. Questions were understandably raised over the intended recipients for the facial coverings, whether airports would be responsible for distributing, methods for distribution, and potential enforcement policies, among others.
In a discussion with FAA headquarters today, FAA informed AAAE that these inquiries are for planning purposes only. More specifically, FAA was tasked with compiling information on behalf of airports in the event the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) received additional facial coverings that could be distributed to and made available for passengers. AAAE was told that FAA does not know if a surplus of coverings exists at this time or any other details regarding how distribution may occur. AAAE expressed concern over airports being responsible for providing any facial coverings to passengers at any time in the future. FAA indicated that the agency has no plans to require airports to distribute masks to passengers.
FAA's inquiry today regarding facial coverings for passengers is separate and independent from another ongoing effort of FEMA to distribute masks to aviation employees that have been deemed "essential critical infrastructure workers" by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). FEMA is making plans to distribute masks for these workers at Core 30 airports, plus an additional five airports with significant cargo operations. This effort is being facilitated through CISA and the Aviation Sector Coordinating Council.
If you have any questions or other feedback, please contact Justin Barkowski at justin.barkowski@aaae.org.
This morning Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airport certification safety inspectors requested certain information from Part 139 commercial service airports regarding a potential sizeable distribution of facial coverings for passengers, including the identity of a point of contact (POC) and an address for delivery. AAAE received a number of inquiries from members requesting additional background and context for these requests. Questions were understandably raised over the intended recipients for the facial coverings, whether airports would be responsible for distributing, methods for distribution, and potential enforcement policies, among others.
In a discussion with FAA headquarters today, FAA informed AAAE that these inquiries are for planning purposes only. More specifically, FAA was tasked with compiling information on behalf of airports in the event the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) received additional facial coverings that could be distributed to and made available for passengers. AAAE was told that FAA does not know if a surplus of coverings exists at this time or any other details regarding how distribution may occur. AAAE expressed concern over airports being responsible for providing any facial coverings to passengers at any time in the future. FAA indicated that the agency has no plans to require airports to distribute masks to passengers.
FAA's inquiry today regarding facial coverings for passengers is separate and independent from another ongoing effort of FEMA to distribute masks to aviation employees that have been deemed "essential critical infrastructure workers" by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). FEMA is making plans to distribute masks for these workers at Core 30 airports, plus an additional five airports with significant cargo operations. This effort is being facilitated through CISA and the Aviation Sector Coordinating Council.
If you have any questions or other feedback, please contact Justin Barkowski at justin.barkowski@aaae.org.
